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PHNOM PENH, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen has sent his greetings to overseas Chinese and Cambodians with Chinese descent ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 28.
"As the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rooster, draws near, in the status of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, I'd like to join the celebrations with all brothers and sisters who have always lived and shared happiness and difficulty with each other since old times," he wrote in a message sent to the Association of Khmer-Chinese in Cambodia on Monday and released to the media on Thursday.
"I'd like to thank the Association of Khmer-Chinese in Cambodia and Cambodians with Chinese descent around the world for having constantly contributed to the development of Cambodia," Hun Sen said.
The prime minister concluded his greetings by blessing overseas Chinese and Cambodians with Chinese descent with good luck, fortune and happiness in the New Year.
Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is broadly celebrated in the Southeast Asian country, though it is not a public holiday in the country.
"In Cambodia, most Cambodian people as well as overseas Chinese celebrate the Spring Festival," Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong said in a speech at the opening ceremony of a Chinese arts show here last week.
"The Cambodian people mark New Year three times a year, namely Universal New Year, Chinese New Year, and Cambodian New Year in April," he said.
It is estimated that more than 700,000 Cambodians with Chinese descent are living in Cambodia.
