The Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations held a virtual reception on Friday attended by more than 200 people to mark Spring Festival and the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

The reception was attended by the secretary-general of the UN, Antonio Guterres, the president of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, representatives of the International Olympic Committee, senior officials of the UN Secretariat, permanent representatives to the UN, and senior diplomats from more than 100 countries, including Russia, France, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Indonesia, Norway, India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Qatar, Greece, and Nicaragua.

“The Spring Festival this year is very special because during the holiday season we will also have the opening of the Beijing Olympic Winter Games. While Chinese people will be celebrating the new year, countries around the world will gather for the grand event of the Olympics,” said Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the UN. “It’s just like the saying goes, good things come in pairs.

“On this special occasion, on behalf of my colleagues, I wish to thank all of you, our dear friends, old and new, for your strong support in the past year, and wish?everyone a peaceful, healthy and auspicious new year.”

Zhang said the past year had been an important one for China.

“We celebrated the centenary of the Communist Party of China, and embarked on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country. We have completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, brought a historic solution to absolute poverty, and are now striving for high-quality development. We also commemorated the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the PRC in the UN, reaffirming strong support to true multilateralism at this new starting point for China-UN cooperation,” he said.

The ambassador pointed out that the world is still facing the continued pandemic, widening immunity and development gaps, and the flare-ups of hotspot issues. “Faced with so many challenges, we must work together with the courage and strength of a tiger to tide over the trying time,” said Zhang.

He stressed that the UN is the central platform for addressing global challenges.

“China’s support for the UN has been consistent, enduring, and reliable. We will continue to offer China’s wisdom, solutions, and strength for world peace and development,” he said.

The motto of the Beijing Winter Olympics is “Together for a Shared Future”.

“It embodies the Olympic spirit of ‘together’?and people’s keen aspiration for a better future,” said Zhang.

The envoy said the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus two months ago the Olympic Truce resolution for the Beijing Winter Olympics, which was co-sponsored by 173 countries. For the first time, the UN released the stamps for Winter Olympics under the theme of “sport for peace”.

Today is the first day of the Olympic Truce, said Zhang.

“We call on all parties to take this grand event of winter sport as an opportunity to thaw differences with dialogue, replace confrontation with cooperation, and safeguard world peace and development,” he continued.

In one week, the Olympic flame will be re-ignited in Beijing, the only city to host both the summer and winter Olympics and preparations have entered the final sprint.

“We are confident to present a simple, safe, and splendid Olympics, and bring to the world more courage and strength in the Year of the Tiger,” said Zhang.

Guterres extended his warm wishes for the Spring Festival in a video message that he began in Mandarin, with wishes for a happy Spring Festival.

“I am pleased to send you my warmest greetings as we begin the Year of the Tiger,” he added.

Guterres also said he will attend the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics and said the event shines as a beacon to human solidarity.

“I look forward to safe and successful Games,” he said.

Shahid wished the Chinese people “Happy Chinese New Year and a prosperous Year of the Tiger” in Mandarin via a video message and said he appreciates the Chinese government’s idea of hosting the Olympics and the great efforts it has made to prepare for the Olympics. He said he is looking forward to participating in the opening ceremony and said he is hoping for a complete success.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, said as China’s “all-weather friend and iron brother”, Pakistan wishes China and the Chinese people all success in hosting the Winter Olympics and a very happy, peaceful, and prosperous Year of the Tiger.

Ishikane Kimihiro, permanent representative of Japan to the UN, said: “I wish happiness to all the people in China and look forward to energetic competitions of athletes at the Beijing Olympic Games.”

James Kariuki, deputy permanent representative of the UK to the UN, said: “All the best wishes to you and the Chinese people for the year of the tiger, and I look forward to a fruitful partnership in the year ahead.”