SYDNEY, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has extended his warm greetings and best wishes to the Chinese people as they celebrate the Chinese New Year, saying he wishes that the two countries would elevate their relationship to new heights in the Year of the Snake.
"Xinnian kuaile!" Manele began his mostly English pre-recorded video with the Chinese greeting of Happy New Year.
The Year of the Snake symbolizes or signifies a time of transformation, growth and retrospection, Manele said.
"The Solomon Islands values its bilateral relationship with the People's Republic of China," the prime minister said.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Solomon Islands in 2019, the two countries have achieved fruitful results in cooperation in many fields, including people-to-people exchanges, trade, health, security, and infrastructure developments, Manele said.
The Solomon Islands is "profoundly honored and privileged" to have a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, he said.
"Wanshi ruyi," Manele concluded his video speech, again with a popular Chinese New Year greeting, which means "may everything go as you wish." ■
