Ambassadors from multiple countries and leaders of international organizations have extended Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese people, invoking the symbolism of the horse to convey wishes of strength, vitality and prosperity ahead of the Spring Festival.

Falling on Tuesday this year, the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, ushers in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac.

In their messages, foreign envoys highlighted the cultural significance of the horse and shared personal reflections and warm wishes with the Chinese people.

"I've spent five, six New Years in China. I've always enjoyed them. I like the tradition very much, the behavior, the different proverbs or sayings, the food, things that everybody's then passing onto their children. I think this is an important part of the culture. Happy Horse Year. Good luck in the Year of the Horse," said Finnish Ambassador to China Mikko Kinnunen.

"The horse symbolizes strength, vitality and progress, reflects our shared aspiration for resilience, dynamism and forward-looking cooperation, as well as the people-to-people connection. May the Year of the Horse bring good health and may it inspire collective progress in the years to come," said Malaysian ambassador to China Norman Bin Muhamad.

"On the occasion of the upcoming Year of the Horse, I would like to extend my best wishes for the Spring Festival to all my Chinese friends! I wish everyone a happy Spring Festival, good health, and all the best! May it be full of vigor. I wish everyone success in the Spring Festival! " said Vietnamese ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh.

"On behalf of the Royal Thai embassy, I extend my warmest greetings to my Chinese friends on the occasion of the upcoming Chinese New Year. I wish everyone continued good health, happiness and prosperity in the year to come. And may the year ahead be filled with strength and good fortune," said Thai Ambassador to China Chatchai Viriyavejakul.

"In Chinese traditional culture, the horse is an auspicious symbol standing for good fortune and success. I wish all the Chinese people a prosperous, healthy and happy New Year!" said Ethiopian Ambassador to China Tefera Derbew Yimam.

"Happy Chinese New Year!" said Norway's ambassador to China Vebjorn Dysvik.

"Dear Chinese friends, Happy Spring Festival! " said Belarusian Ambassador to China Aleksandr Chervyakov.

"On behalf of the Republic of Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan people, we wish the People's Republic of China and the Chinese people success in all endeavors. May everything go well, and happy Spring Festival!" said Nicaragua's Ambassador to China, Ramiro José Cruz Flores.

"We believe that the horse can lead people to success. We look forward to the Year of the Horse bringing good fortune to everyone. Happy Spring Festival!" said Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Nurlan Yermekbayev.