Building trust, restoring hope

As the melody of the immortal song Happy New Year by the band ABBA resounded amid cheers and fireworks welcoming the new year 2024, it was also the time when leaders of countries sent out New Year messages with many implications...

Không khí đón giao thừa tại Quảng trường Thời đại ở New York, Mỹ. (Nguồn: Reuters)

New Year's Eve atmosphere at Times Square in New York, USA. (Source: Reuters)

At the moment of New Year's Eve, Sydney - the "New Year's capital of the world" is brilliant with fireworks, millions of people in Times Square, New York (USA) exchange smiles and good wishes, but the sound of bombs and bullets still resounds in hot spots of conflict such as Ukraine or the Gaza Strip. The risk of escalating clashes in the Red Sea is evident, the disaster of the earthquake in Japan on the first day of the new year... Conflict, economic crisis, peace and hope for a brighter future are indispensable in the New Year's messages of world leaders.

The beautiful scene has opened up

Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Speaking on television ahead of the new year, Chinese President Xi Jinping said: “We have weathered the storm, seen the beautiful scenery unfolding along the way, and made real achievements… Moving forward, we have full confidence in the future.” He affirmed to promote the country’s modernization, accelerate the building of new development models, high-quality development, and pursue security protection goals…

The Chinese leader believes that China has fulfilled its responsibilities as a major country in 2023. China will host the China-Central Asia Summit, the Belt and Road Forum, and meet with leaders from around the world. Xi Jinping did not forget to recall his trips to “visit a number of countries, meet with many friends, both old and new, share China’s vision, and enhance mutual understanding with them.” Hoping for a continued prosperity in 2024, he emphasized deepening reform and opening up in all aspects, further enhancing people’s confidence...

4 minutes and 20 minutes

Russian President V. Putin.

In Russia, in a four-minute speech with the Kremlin walls in the background, in contrast to the solemn rows of soldiers and the call for sacrifice in last year's message, President Putin praised Russian soldiers as heroes and emphasized the unity and common determination of the country. The Kremlin leader affirmed: "We are one country, one big family. We will ensure the steady development of the Motherland, the happiness of the people, we will become even stronger. We are united. This is the most reliable guarantee for the future of Russia."

President of Ukraine V. Zelensky.

In a 20-minute message from the Ukraine hotspot, President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that the country has become stronger after overcoming the difficulties of the conflict with Russia. Affirming the country's determination to "rise up", he warned: "The Ukrainian people are stronger than any plots and intentions to destroy global solidarity and weaken the alliance between our allies."

President Zelensky's message came less than 72 hours after the Russian military launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, marking one of the largest air strikes since the conflict erupted nearly two years ago.

“We will be back”

US President Joe Biden

Speaking from his resort in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, President Joe Biden reiterated that the United States has added 14 million jobs since the pandemic and revealed his goal of “coming back next year,” referring to his hopes of re-election in the upcoming US presidential election. The head of the White House hopes “everyone has a healthy, happy, safe new year and knows that we are better positioned than any country to lead the world. We will come back because it is time.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's message highlighted the country's transformation in the face of a more uncertain and harsh world, but one that will surely overcome. In the world's most populous country, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on social network X: "May this year bring prosperity, peace and excellent health to all."

Saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new year is an endless cycle of time. After the losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, conflicts, natural disasters..., hopefully 2024 will be more peaceful, a time for global recovery. As the message of solidarity that many leaders emphasized and the New Year's greetings of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: "Humanity is strongest when we stand together. 2024 must be a year of rebuilding trust and restoring hope in all that can be achieved together."

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