I want to send my best wishes to everyone in Britain, China and around the world celebrating Chinese
New Year.
From the fairs in Beijing, to the fireworks in Hong Kong and the parades here in London, families an
d communities will come together and look to the year ahead the Year of the Rooster.
And what a year it is set to be particularly for the relationship between Britain and China.
Our starting point is stronger than ever before. We had the historic state visit of President Xi jus
t 15 months ago. We receive more Chinese investment than any other major European country. We’ve got
around 150,000 Chinese students studying here and the number of Chinese tourists visiting has doubl
ed in 5 years.
Meanwhile, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, our countries are working together on th
e most pressing global issues.
This year also marks some important anniversaries: 20 years since the handover of Hong Kong to China
; and 45 years of ambassadorial relations between our countries.
I want us to take this chance to build on all the ties we share in business, diplomacy, education,
tourism and culture as we forge a new role for Britain, as the most outward-looking, free-trading
nation in the world.
Indeed, I look forward to making another visit to China, following my trip to Hangzhou last year, wh
ich was my first visit outside Europe as Prime Minister and my first meeting with President Xi.
And it is an auspicious time. The Rooster the Fire Rooster represents so many of the characteris
tics we need to employ in that endeavour: openness, confidence, hard work and leadership.
These aren’t alien concepts to any of us. Indeed, they are characteristics demonstrated day in, day
out by the British Chinese community.
For this is a community that makes an enormous contribution to our society proving that the streng
th and success of this country rests on dedication, diversity and a deep spirit of citizenship among
our people.
So as the lanterns are lit and the dumplings are served, let me wish you and your family, wherever y
ou are, a very happy and healthy New Year.