BRASILIA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva extended Lunar New Year greetings to Chinese people around the world Wednesday.

    "The arrival of a New Year is always a moment of celebration and reflection, and a moment when we can give thanks for the giftsof life and plan our future," Lula said in a message.

    "At this moment, I want to convey to my beloved Chinese people,as well as to their governors and leaders, my friendly hug and my vows of a new year with much peace, harmony and happiness," the president said.

    Lula said he believes the New Year must be a time to "renew ourwork, our optimism and our belief by which we will defeat the challenges" as the world battles economic difficulties.

    "The solidarity and the friendship between the Chinese and Brazilian peoples will contribute a lot, I am sure, to creating a new era of peace and prosperity," he added.