On the occasion of the Chinese traditional festival -- the Chinese New Year, I would like to express, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Houston and also in my own name, our cordial holiday greetings and best wishes to the Chinese communities and the friends from all walks of life in the southern region of the United States.

In the year of 2009, in the face of global financial crisis, the Chinese people of all ethnic groups united together and firmly adhered to maintaining steady and relatively fast economic development as the primary task in economic work. With the GDP growth rate reaching 8.7%, the Chinese people's life continued to improve and the society was kept harmonious and stable.

The year of 2009 was the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between China and the United States. The two countries had constructive cooperation in coping with global challenges and regional security issues. The leaders of the two countries reached a significant consensus in building a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship towards the 21st century, which is not only in the interests of the two countries and peoples, but also conducive to safeguarding the world peace, maintaining stability and promoting common prosperity.

In the year of 2010, China will hold high the flag of peace, development and cooperation and firmly adhere to the foreign policy of maintaining world peace and promoting common development, work with people of all countries to jointly promote the construction of a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity.

The Chinese Consulate General is ready to join hands with the friends from all walks of life in the southern region of the United States to deepen the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, thus bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Wish everyone good health, happiness, success and prosperity in the Year of the Tiger! May the friendship between the peoples of China and the United States be further developed!