STORY: Foreign leaders, heads of int'l organizations extend best wishes for Chinese New Year of Dragon
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Feb. 12, 2024
LENGTH: 0:03:18
LOCATION: Beijing
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of festive activities
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): KRISTALINA GEORGIEVA, Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF)
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): FATIH BIROL, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA)
6. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): DAVID ADEANG, Nauruan President
7. SOUNDBITE 6 (English): MOHAMED MUIZZU, Maldivian President
8. SOUNDBITE 7 (English): ARIF ALVI, Pakistani President
9. SOUNDBITE 8 (English): Vanuatu's President Nikenike Vurobaravu and his wife
10. SOUNDBITE 9 (English): NIKOS CHRISTODOULIDES, Cyprus President
11. SOUNDBITE 10 (English): WILIAME KATONIVERE, Fijian President
12. SOUNDBITE 11 (English): ALEXANDER DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister
13. SOUNDBITE 12 (French): GUSIMALA AMZA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Central African Republic
14. SOUNDBITE 13 (Spanish): JUAN CASTRO PRIETO, Chilean Senator
15. SOUNDBITE 14 (Chinese): MARIA ZAKHAROVA, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson
16. SOUNDBITE 15 (Cantonese): LONDON BREED, Mayor of San Francisco

STORYLINE:

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
"Chun Jie Kuai Le! Happy Lunar New Year. I'm pleased to send my warmest greetings as we usher in the Year of the Dragon. I wish you good health, happiness and prosperity in this new year."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): KRISTALINA GEORGIEVA, Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF)
"We wish you a Year of the Dragon that brings you and your loved ones happiness, health, and prosperity."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General
"I just want to wish all Chinese people a happy New Year of the Dragon. And I wish you the best of luck in this new year."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): FATIH BIROL, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA)
"I wish all of my Chinese friends and colleagues a happy, prosperous Year of the Dragon, and all the best to all of you from me and from the International Energy Agency."

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): DAVID ADEANG, Nauruan President
"May the spirit of the dragon lead us into a prosperous and harmonious future."

SOUNDBITE 6 (English): MOHAMED MUIZZU, Maldivian President
"The people of Maldives joined me in wishing you all a very happy new year. Xin Nian Kuai Le!"

SOUNDBITE 7 (English): ARIF ALVI, Pakistani President
"I wish the people of China and the government of China, from the people of Pakistan and the government of Pakistan a very happy new year. And I wish them success, I wish them peace, I wish them development, I wish them prosperity, and I wish them happiness. Chun Jie Kuai Le (Happy New Year). Long Nian Da Ji (Wish you a prosperous Year of the Dragon)."

SOUNDBITE 8 (English): Vanuatu's President Nikenike Vurobaravu and his wife
"To the people and the government of the People's Republic of China, from me and the people of the Republic of Vanuatu. Long Nian Kuai Le (Happy New Year of the Dragon)!"

SOUNDBITE 9 (English): NIKOS CHRISTODOULIDES, Cyprus President
"The Year of the Wood Dragon is a symbol of growth, success, health, strength, and good fortune. I would like to extend to the friendly people of China our most sincere and helpful wishes for a happy, prosperous, and healthy new year."

SOUNDBITE 10 (English): WILIAME KATONIVERE, Fijian President
"Happy Chinese New Year! It is a pleasure that I take this opportunity to wish you all the compliments of the season for the Year of the Loong. Stay blessed and enjoy the holidays."

SOUNDBITE 11 (English): ALEXANDER DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister
"I want to convey to you my best wishes for the Chinese Lunar New Year and the start of the Year of the Dragon. The dragon brings prosperity, luck, and power. 2024 is a perfect year to promote partnerships."

SOUNDBITE 12 (French): GUSIMALA AMZA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Central African Republic
"I wish all the Chinese people a happy new year! May the new year be a year of cooperation, happiness and development!"

SOUNDBITE 13 (Spanish): JUAN CASTRO PRIETO, Chilean Senator
"I know that the Spring Festival is a time of national celebration in China. I want to give you a big hug from Chile, and I wish you a good time. And I wish Chile and China will always maintain good relations."

SOUNDBITE 14 (Chinese): MARIA ZAKHAROVA, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson
"Happy New Year to my Chinese friends! All the best!"

SOUNDBITE 15 (Cantonese): LONDON BREED, Mayor of San Francisco
"I wish you all a happy new year, good health, and good luck!"

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing.
(XHTV)