Washington - President Barack Obama sent best wishes for the Lunar New Year that kicks off on Thursday, as revellers across the United States and around the world prepared to usher in the “Year of the Rabbit”.
“As people of all cultures and faiths welcome in the new year, let all of us celebrate our families and our ancestors, and enjoy the company of our loved ones,” Obama said in a statement, noting many Americans were celebrating the new Chinese calendar with festivities.
“Many Americans of Asian descent will carry on the rich traditions of their heritage, reminding us again that America’s strength comes from the richness of our cultures and the diversity of our people.
“I wish all who celebrate the new year peace, prosperity and good health,” he added.
In the Chinese zodiac, the rabbit is fourth in a cycle of 12 animals that represent each Chinese New Year, with the Year of the Rabbit falling February 3, 2011 to January 22, 2012.
America's top diplomat Hillary Clinton urged revellers to “continue to work together in this New Year to deepen our friendships and make progress on the challenges we all face”.
“President Obama and I are committed to the people of the Asia-Pacific region - committed to strengthening our ties with traditional allies, to making new friends and working to forge constructive relationships throughout the region,” she added, noting the significant contributions of Asian-Americans.
Nancy Pelosi, Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, welcomed the Lunar New Year as a time to “celebrate a rich culture and a deep heritage; a time to reflect on the past year, embrace the possibilities of the future, and look forward to a year of hope and prosperity, optimism and opportunity”.
Her home city of San Francisco is home to an especially “vibrant” and large Asian-American and Pacific Islander community, she noted.
“As a nation, in this year of the Rabbit, we must continue to honour our diversity as a source of strength. We must stay true to our creed - that 'out of many, we are one' - and to our history of pluralism, equality and civil rights for all,” Pelosi continued. - AFP