The chief executives of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions delivered their New Year messages on Saturday.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee (R) and his wife Janet Lam deliver a New Year message, January 21, 2023. (Photo: China's HKSAR government)

The Year of the Rabbit, according to the Chinese Zodiac, runs from January 22, 2023 to February 9, 2024.

Chief Executive John Lee of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) extended Spring Festival greetings on the Chinese New Year's Eve, saying that rabbits are just like Hong Kong people, who are flexible and resilient, and constantly strive for improvement.

Noting that the rabbit is also a symbol of great vitality, Lee said the Chinese New Year is seen as heralding a new start and new hope for Hong Kong.

"Our economy will continue to grow and our tourist attractions will be filled with visitors," he said.

Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), also extended his Spring Festival greetings on Saturday and vowed to strive to break new ground in realizing fully the "One Country, Two Systems" principle with Macao characteristics.

Chief Executive of China's Macao SAR Ho Iat Seng delivers his New Year message, January 21, 2023. (Photo: China's Macao SAR government)

Ho pledged to persist in implementing a sound and stable governance system for Macao; focus on expediting economic recovery and adequate economic diversification; firmly promote the construction of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin; actively improve people's livelihoods; deepen public administration reform; and firmly safeguard national security.

The Macao SAR Government will make the utmost effort to continue to optimize COVID-19 response measures to protect the lives and health of Macao residents, he said, adding that the government will work together in unity with the general public to resume fully normal economic and social activities.