Maria Zaharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, made headlines this Tuesday when she delivered a New Year's greeting in Mandarin Chinese to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, marking the Year of the Horse. In her speech, she highlighted the deep cultural significance of the horse in Russian history, which is reflected in folklore, fairy tales, and traditions. Zaharova also pointed out that this year, Moscow and Beijing are preparing to celebrate the spring together for the first time, promoting a sense of unity between the two nations.

In her remarks, Zaharova announced that a Chinese New Year celebration would be held in Moscow, while Beijing would simultaneously honor Maslenitsa, a pre-Easter Eastern Slavic festival that closely resembles Finland's Laskiainen. She encouraged people to join in the festivities, either in Moscow or Beijing, welcoming them to partake in this cross-cultural celebration that strengthens ties between the two cultures.

Zaharova’s familiarity with Chinese culture is further emphasized by her personal background; she was raised in a family where her father, a sinologist, worked in Beijing. This upbringing has endowed her with fluency in both Chinese and English, making her communication more effective in international diplomacy and showcasing Russia’s efforts to strengthen its relations with China amid a complex global landscape. Zaharova's Mandarin speech is viewed as part of Russia's broader strategy to enhance cultural diplomacy, especially with China during pivotal celebrations like the Lunar New Year.