STORY: UN chief, world leaders send Chinese New Year greetings
SHOOTING TIME: recent footage
DATELINE: Jan. 28, 2025
LENGTH: 00:02:22
LOCATION: Beijing
CATEGORY: CULTURE/POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): TANETI MAAMAU, Kiribati President
3. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): NIKOS CHRISTODOULIDES, Cypriot President
4. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): DAVID ADEANG, Nauruan President
5. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): SITIVENI RABUKA, Fijian Prime Minister
6. SOUNDBITE 6 (English): PAETONGTARN SHINAWATRA, Thai Prime Minister
7. SOUNDBITE 7 (English): JEREMIAH MANELE, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands

STORYLINE:

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
"Happy Lunar New Year. I am pleased to send my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating Lunar New Year and this Year of the Snake. May the Year of the Snake bring good health, happiness, prosperity, and new beginnings."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): TANETI MAAMAU, Kiribati President
"On behalf of the government and the people of Kiribati, I would like to extend our warm holiday greetings and best wishes to all the Chinese people on this joyous and auspicious occasion.
Happy Chinese New Year with our traditional blessings of 'Te Mauri,' meaning health, 'Te Raoi' (meaning) peace, 'Te Tabomoa' (meaning) prosperity upon our Chinese friends."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): NIKOS CHRISTODOULIDES, Cypriot President
"It is with great pleasure that I join the celebrations for the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom and change.
I would like to extend, on behalf of the people and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, our warmest wishes for a very happy, successful, and prosperous New Year.
Happy New Year."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): DAVID ADEANG, Nauruan President
"On behalf of the government and people of Nauru, I extend warm greetings and heartfelt wishes as you celebrate the Year of the Snake. Let us continue working together to promote peace, development, and prosperity for our nations. May this year bring peace, harmony, and great success."

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): SITIVENI RABUKA, Fijian Prime Minister
"Nisa bula (Hello)! As Prime Minister of Fiji, I extend warm greetings to the people of China and the Chinese diaspora around the world on this auspicious occasion of the Chinese New Year -- Spring Festival.
We envision a future where our nations work hand in hand to achieve sustainable development and shared success.
I wish you all a joyous and prosperous Chinese New Year."

SOUNDBITE 6 (English): PAETONGTARN SHINAWATRA, Thai Prime Minister
"I wish everyone good health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming Lunar New Year."

SOUNDBITE 7 (English): JEREMIAH MANELE, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands
"Xin nian kuai le (Happy New Year). On behalf of the government and people of Solomon Islands, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to you as you celebrate the New Year.
Happy New Year and wan shi ru yi (all the best)."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing.
(XHTV)