"Chun Jie Kuai Le!" António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, begins his Lunar New Year greetings in Chinese in a video released on the UN's official website on Monday local time. Photo: UN website

Aside from world leaders, international organization chiefs also send wishes to Chinese people. "Chun Jie Kuai Le!" António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, began his Lunar New Year greetings in Chinese in a video released on the UN's official website on Monday local time. He also expressed appreciation for China and the Chinese people, praising their role in upholding multilateralism and promoting global solidarity.

"May the spirit of the horse bring you health, happiness, and prosperity. I extend my gratitude to China and the Chinese people for championing the cause of multilateralism and global solidarity," said Guterres, before concluding the video with "Xie Xie!" - thank you in Chinese.

Notably, the backdrop of the video of Guterres integrates traditional Spring Festival aesthetics with United Nations symbolism. On the right, lanterns bear a golden UN emblem — a globe encircled by olive branches — visually linking Chinese New Year imagery with the organization's identity.

On the left, a square red lattice-style window frames a paper-cut design of a spirited horse in mid-gallop, accompanied by the characters "Ma Yue Yun Cheng," a phrase evoking lofty aspirations, a broad horizon, and the drive to keep moving forward.

In recent years, it has become a familiar practice for many world leaders to extend Lunar New Year greetings, as the Spring Festival—the most important traditional holiday in Chinese culture—steadily takes on a more global popularity. Its growing international visibility reflects not only China's rising comprehensive strength and expanding global influence, but also the role of overseas Chinese communities and cross-cultural exchanges in bringing the festival to audiences worldwide, Zhang Yiwu, a professor of Chinese language and literature at Peking University, told the Global Times on Friday.

This year, festive celebrations can also be seen across many countries, combining traditional activities within Chinese communities with broader participation. Together, these trends underscore the increasing recognition of cultural diversity and the expanding global appeal of Chinese culture, said Zhang.

Inscribed in 2024 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Spring Festival has seen its influence continue to extend beyond national borders. According to Gulf News, Dubai celebrated with the Chinese New Year with a grand parade on February 8, featuring traditional performances, cultural displays, and a vibrant festive atmosphere for the Year of the Horse.

Also, according to Xinhua, a Chinese New Year parade took place on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on February 1 to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year. The parade featured a modern twist with the inclusion of a robot-led formation, followed by traditional dragon and lion dances and folk performances. The event drew crowds of local residents and tourists who lined the streets to watch, per Xinhua.

As the Year of the Horse begins, many foreign leaders have referenced the horse's symbolism—strength, endurance, and forward momentum—in their Spring Festival messages. Zhang said that the horse has long been a powerful symbol in Chinese culture and is also widely recognized across civilizations, giving the Year of the Horse broad cultural resonance. This reflects not only the growing global appeal of zodiac culture, but also the expanding reach of China's cultural soft power and international influence.