World leaders' messages on New Year

BEIJING - As the world is entering the new year of 2015, global leaders, as a tradition, delivered their New Year speeches, voicing greeting messages with hope and confidence.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers his New Year speech via state broadcasters in Beijing, Dec 31, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

CHINA: REFORM

In an address transmitted live by state broadcasters, Chinese President Xi Jinping told domestic and overseas audiences that 2014 was an "unforgettable" year.

He underscored the need to continue reform and to advance the rule of law in 2015 in his New Year speech on Wednesday, comparing them to "a bird's two wings".

"In 2014, we pressed ahead with reform, cracked many hard nuts and introduced important reforms close to the interests of our citizens," he said. "We adapted to the new normal of economic growth; actively promoted economic and social development; and improved the quality of people's life."

RUSSIA: CRIMEA

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation on the New Year's Eve that the decision of "getting back home" by Crimea and Sevastopol people "will forever remain a most important milestone in the national history".

He thanked the nation for unity and solidarity, and called on Russians to make a difference together in 2015.

"The new year's shape is in our own hands. It will depend on how effectively, creatively and productively each of us will be doing one's job. There are just no other recipes. We must accomplish and implement every single plan of ours -- for our own sake, for the sake of our children and for the sake of Russia." Putin said.

DPRK: DIALOGUE

Top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong-un on Thursday called on the Republic of Korea to halt all provocative war maneuvers and emphasized that there is no reason not to hold highest-level north-south talks in a televised New Year's speech.

The year of 2015 will mark a turning point for blazing a path toward independent reunification of the Korean nation, he noted.

He said there is no reason not to hold summit talks between north and south when such atmosphere and climate are matured.

The DPRK will make an all-out effort to promote inter-Korean dialogue and negotiations in the future, Kim emphasized.