ISLAMABAD, Feb 4 (INP): Pakistani nation stand by their Chinese friends, while they are enjoying their New Year (Spring Festival) that falls on February 5.

Both, government and the people of Pakistan feel immense pleasure, joining the Chinese people on their annual festivity.

In their news reports and special columns, Print and electronic media have also greeted their Chinese friends on their New Year.

Conveying the sentiments of joy on the Chinese New Year, Pakistani official and private circles in their separate messages hoped that China will continue to grow as a prosperous nation in the years to come.

It was hoped that collective and individual life of the Chinese people will be full of happiness and they will stand high in comity of the nations.

In his message, President Arif Alvi greeted the Chinese government and the Chinese people on the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The message says, "On behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan, I must extend my heartfelt felicitation to the government of China and the people of China."

The friendship between Pakistan and China is "very important and valuable," the president told the Chinese media.

After decades of reform and opening-up, China has made tremendous progress and contributed greatly to poverty alleviation, he added.

The most remarkable idea of China to open up is the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as the CPEC, he said.

Alvi believed that the future of Pakistan-China relations will keep on developing towards prosperity of the two peoples.

In Beijing, Pakistan Ambassador, Masood Khalid has warmly greeted the Chinese nation on New Year that falls on February 5 this year.

In the video interview, he vividly relates the folktale depicting the origin of the Chinese Spring Festival.

He believes that Spring Festival doesn’t only have a great impact on Chinese culture and society; its influence has extended to the cultures of neighboring countries where Lunar Chinese New Year is also celebrated.

The ambassador regards Chinese culture as a good reflection of the country’s long and rich history. “It is a civilization which has made an imprint on global culture”, the ambassador said.

Chinese Lunar New Year or ‘Spring Festival’ is China’s most important festival and holiday time. People hang red lanterns for the upcoming Spring Festival at the gate of houses, shops and streets to celebrate the spring festival all across the country.

INP/J/AJ