Cambodian PM sends greetings on Chinese New Year

Jan 21, 2012
(Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen sent his greetings to overseas Chinese in Cambodia on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, according to his message released to the media on Saturday.

In the message dated Jan. 14 to all beloved people of overseas Chinese in Cambodia, the premier said, "Cambodia is a warm house for all brotherly people, including Cambodians with Chinese descent."

He added, "During the time of miserable difficulty and complete separation of families in the 3 years, 8 months and 20 days, we had been in the same difficult lives, losing the beloved lives of fathers, mothers, spouses, and children."

"When the day of Jan. 7, 1979 came, we were all resurrected in warmth together, joining happiness, misery, difficulty and development together until now, it was 32 years ago," he said.

The premier continued to say that 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon that occurs just once every 60 years. "The Year of the Dragon with water element is more powerful than other years and will bring immense luck, wealth, and happiness to all brotherly people."

"My wife and I would like to join the pleasure with all brotherly Chinese people and bless all of you with prosperity, fortune, and longevity," Hun Sen wrote in the letter.

The Chinese New Year is one of the largest festivals in Cambodia, up to 80 percent of Cambodian people celebrate it every year, Hun Sen said in a public speech in last January.

He said that Cambodia celebrates three times of New Year in a year: Universal New Year, Chinese New Year and Khmer New Year itself.

（Editor：燕勐）