英国首相托尼·布莱尔日前也向伦敦唐人街华人协会致贺词，对英国华人社团表示新春的祝福。

据安哥拉新闻1月23日报道，英国首相布莱尔日前在一份致伦敦华埠商会的贺词中表示，"我很高兴向华人团体送上我最好的新年祝福，希望在即将到来的狗年里，每个人都能幸福快乐。"布莱尔说，中国农历新年对华人团体来说，一直具有非常重要的意义。在传统意义上，它是人们农耕劳作以及大地万物复苏的开始。

布莱尔还表示，目前对于中国农历新年的庆祝活动已经远远超出了华人团体的范围，所有不同背景的人们都在共同分享这个节日。他还在贺词中说："这个节日给了我们思考华人团体对我们国家的兴旺、发展、文化事业以及社会多样性所做出的巨大贡献的机会。"

（国际在线独家资讯 王高山）

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has sent out his message of congratulation on the forthcoming 2006 Chinese Lunar New Year Day, which falls on Jan. 29.

In a recent message addressed to Chinatown Chinese Association in London, Blair said, "I am delighted to send my best wishes to the Chinese community for the New Year and to wish everyone happiness in the forthcoming Year of Dog."

Blair said that the festival has always been important to the Chinese community.

Traditionally, it marks the start of ploughing, planting and the earth coming back to life.

The celebrations, Blair said, now reach out well beyond the Chinese community and are shared and enjoyed by people from all backgrounds.

"The festival gives us all the chance both to reflect on the great contribution of the Chinese community to this country's success, prosperity and culture and how we all gain from the diversity of our society," the British prime minister said in the message.