Virtual event to celebrate spring festival and opening of Beijing Winter Olympics

The Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Friday held a virtual reception of the Chinese spring festival and opening of the Beijing Olympic Winter Games. More than 200 people attended the virtual celebration.

Secretary-General of the UN Antonio Guterres, President of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Abdulla Shahid, representatives of the International Olympic Committee and senior officials of the UN Secretariat, permanent representatives to the UN and senior diplomats from more than 100 countries including Russia, France, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Indonesia, Norway, India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Qatar, Greece, and Nicaragua attended the reception.

"The Spring Festival this year is very special because during the holiday season we will also have the opening of the Beijing Olympic Winter Games. While Chinese people will be celebrating the new year, countries around the world will gather for the grand event of the Olympics," said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN. "It's just like the saying goes, good things come in pairs."

"On this special occasion, on behalf of my colleagues, I wish to thank all of you, our dear friends, old and new, for your strong support in the past year, and wish everyone a peaceful, healthy and auspicious new year," said Zhang.

Zhang said last year means a lot for China. "We celebrated the centenary of the Communist Party of China, and embarked on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country. We have completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, brought a historic solution to absolute poverty, and are now striving for high-quality development. We also commemorated the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the PRC in the UN, reaffirming strong support to true multilateralism at this new starting point for China-UN cooperation," he said.

The ambassador pointed out that the world is still facing the continued pandemic, the widening immunity and development gaps, and the flare-ups of hotspot issues. "Faced with so many challenges, we must work together with the courage and strength of a tiger to tide over the trying time," said Zhang.

Zhang stressed that the UN is the central platform for addressing global challenges. "China's support for the UN has been consistent, enduring and reliable. We will continue to offer China's wisdom, solution and strength for world peace and development," he said.

The motto of the Beijing Winter Olympics is "Together for a Shared Future." "It embodies the Olympic spirit of 'together' and people's keen aspiration for a better future," said Zhang.

The envoy said two months ago, UNGA adopted by consensus the Olympic Truce resolution for the Beijing Winter Olympics, which was co-sponsored by 173 countries. For the first time, the UN released the stamps for Winter Olympics under the theme of "sport for peace".

Today is the first day of the Olympic Truce, said Zhang. "We call on all parties to take this grand event of winter sport as an opportunity to thaw differences with dialogue, replace confrontation with cooperation, and safeguard world peace and development," he continued.

In one week, the Olympic flame will be reignited in Beijing, the only city to host both the summer and winter Olympics. The preparation has entered the final sprint. "We are confident to present a simple, safe and splendid Olympics, and bring to the world more courage and strength in the Year of the Tiger," said Zhang.

UN Secretary-General Guterres on Friday extended his warm wishes for the Chinese spring festival in a video message. Guterres began his message in Mandarin: "Chun Jie Kuai Le!" (Happy Spring Festival!) "I am pleased to send you my warmest greetings as we begin the Year of the Tiger."

Guterres also said he will attend the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics. The Olympic spirit shines as a beacon to human solidarity and "I look forward to safe and successful Games," he said.

President of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly Shahid wished the Chinese people "Happy Chinese New Year and a prosperous Year of the Tiger" in Mandarin via a video message. He highly appreciates the Chinese government's idea of hosting the Olympics and the great efforts it has made to prepare for the Olympics. He said he is looking forward to participating in the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics and wishing the Winter Olympics a complete success.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Munir Akram said as China's "all-weather friend and iron brother," Pakistan wishes China and the Chinese people all success in hosting the Winter Olympics and a very happy, peaceful and prosperous year of the Tiger.

"I wish happiness to all the people in China and look forward to energetic competitions of athletes at the Beijing Olympic Games", Ishikane Kimihiro, permanent representative of Japan to the UN said at the virtual reception.

"All the best wishes to you and the Chinese people for the year of the tiger, and I look forward to a fruitful partnership in the year ahead," said James Kariuki, deputy permanent representative of the UK to the UN at the event.