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As I See It | Lunar New Year greetings to China by countries shows its growing influence
- Many of the new year greetings from world leaders came from countries that either have deep ties with China or are seeking to deepen relations with Beijing
- This relatively new diplomatic custom only came into existence in the last 15 years, as Chinese state media started making their global presence felt
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World leaders from Canada to Zimbabwe extended Lunar New Year greetings to China when the Year of the Rabbit hopped into full swing in late January, in what has become a regular act of diplomatic courtesy that only began fairly recently.
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It is therefore hard not to ignore the geopolitical undertones that appear to underline these well wishes, especially as many were extended by countries that either have deep ties with China or are seeking to deepen relations with Beijing.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe wished prosperity for China, while his prime minister Dinesh Gunawardena called Beijing a “true trustworthy friend” of Colombo.
Broke Sri Lanka owes billions to Chinese creditors and has been seeking Beijing’s support to help secure a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
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How the world rang in the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Rabbit
How the world rang in the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Rabbit
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa wished that the new year would offer the opportunity for his country to “solidify the strong bonds of friendship” with China. Last year, Beijing funded and built a new parliament building in the southern African nation, while Chinese investors sealed a deal to construct a US$2.8 billion battery metals industrial park.
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