The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, on Friday sent his warm wishes to the Chinese people on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2021.

The Chinese New Year 2021 started on Feb. 12, and according to the Chinese lunar calendar, it is the Year of the Ox.

"Wishing the people and government of China a happy Lunar New Year," the Ethiopian premier said, as he affirmed to further strengthening the Sino-Ethiopia ties during the course of the just-started Chinese New Year.

"Ethiopia will continue to build on its existing bilateral relations and cooperation with China in the Year of the Ox," Ahmed said in his message to the Chinese people and government via Twitter.

The Year of the Ox comes as the two friendly countries marked 50 years since the establishment of Ethiopia-China diplomatic relations.

The Lunar New Year also comes on the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic that has seen the two countries strengthening their cooperation in fighting the pandemic.

Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. In 2021, the first day of the Chinese New Year is on Feb. 12, which is also the Year of the Ox.