Australian minister sends Lunar New Year message to Chinese community

Australian Minister for Social Services Scott Morrison sent a message on Wednesday to the Chinese community in Australia on the Lunar New Year, the biggest festival for Chinese.

In the pre-recorded message, Morrison greets the Chinese Australians with mandarin "Ni Hao" (hello) and wishes the Chinese community all happiness and good fortune for the new year.

He said the celebration is the ultimate recognition of the contribution of Chinese Australians to building Australia as a nation and respect for Australia's own Chinese heritage.

"Chinese Australians have contributed in every sphere -- culturally, socially and economically," he said.

Morrison said the upcoming Year of Sheep by lunar calendar has very special significance for Australia.

"The Sheep has brought us good fortune," he said.

He noted that festivities welcoming in the Lunar New Year will be enjoyed across the nation, with rich and vibrant traditions, colorful lanterns, spectacular lion dances and wonderful dragon boat races being embraced by Australians with all ancestries.

"What was once a celebration within the Chinese community in Australia, has now become a celebration by all Australians of the Chinese community in Australia," said Morrision.

Relations between China and Australia are strong and growing. Bilateral trade volume between the two countries is 150 billion Australian dollars (117 billion US dollars) and the principally agreed Free Trade Agreement will unlock further opportunities to grow economic opportunities, bringing Australia and China closer together than ever before, as last year's visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping demonstrated.