在 2017 農曆雞年新春到來之際，英國首相特雷莎 · 梅向全球華人送上新春祝福，她表示新年對於中英關係將是非比尋常的一年，期待再次訪華。此外，梅還讚揚華人群體對於英國社會的巨大貢獻。
目前，已經給中國人民送來新春祝福的外國領導人有澳大利亞總理特恩布爾、馬爾他總統普雷卡、波赫主席團輪值主席伊萬尼奇、赤道幾內亞總統奧比昂、斯裡蘭卡總統西裡塞納以及英國首相特蕾莎 · 梅等。聯合國秘書長古特雷斯也用中文向中國人民恭賀新春。
來感受一下梅姨純正的英音拜年：
以下為拜年賀辭原文：
I want to send my best wishes to everyone in Britain, China andaround the world celebrating Chinese New Year.
From the fairs in Beijing, to the fireworks in Hong Kong and theparades here in London, families and communities will come together and look tothe year ahead – the Year of the Rooster.
And what a year it is set to be – particularly for the relationshipbetween Britain and China.
Our starting point is stronger than ever before.
We had the historic state visit of President Xi just 15 months ago.
We receive more Chinese investment than any other major Europeancountry.
We』ve got around 150,000 Chinese students studying here and thenumber of Chinese tourists visiting has doubled in five years.
Meanwhile, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, ourcountries are working together on the most pressing global issues.
This year also marks some important anniversaries: 20 years sincethe handover of Hong Kong to China; and 45 years of ambassadorial relationsbetween our countries.
I want us to take this chance to build on all the ties we share – inbusiness, diplomacy, education, tourism and culture – as we forge a new rolefor Britain, as the most outward-looking, free-trading nation in the world.
Indeed, I look forward to making another visit to China, followingmy trip to Hangzhou last year, which was my first visit outside Europe as PrimeMinister and my first meeting with President Xi.
And it is an auspicious time. The Rooster – the Fire Rooster –represents so many of the characteristics 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 oursociety – proving that the strength and success of this country rests ondedication, diversity and a deep spirit of citizenship among our people.
So as the lanterns are lit and the dumplings are served, let me wishyou and your family, wherever you are, a very happy and healthy New Year.
「Xin Nian Kuai Le」
梅姨的拜年賀詞及視頻發表在英國政府網站