As 2014 got under way on Wednesday, world figures issued messages addressing their major concerns and hopes for their people over the next 12 months.

China

Reform

President Xi Jinping expressed his confidence in China's reforms and extended good wishes to all Chinese in his New Year's address on Tuesday.

"In 2013, we made an overall arrangement on comprehensively deepening reform, drawing a grand blueprint for the country's future development," Xi said in the address which was carried by state broadcasters.

"In 2014, we will make new strides along the path of reform."

The fundamental purpose of the reform is to make the country rich and strong, the society fair and just and people's lives better, he said.

Addressing domestic and overseas audiences, Xi called on the people to fight hard together for this great cause.

"We have had numerous glories in the great cause of reform and opening-up. I firmly believe that new glories await the Chinese people," he said.

Russia

Anti-Terror

President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the anti-terror war will continue until all terrorists are eliminated in the country.

In his New Year's address to residents of the Russian eastern city of Khabarovsk, Putin said Russia "will continue the fight against terrorists certainly, fiercely and consistently until they are all destroyed".

"Dear friends, we bow our heads to the victims of violent terrorist attacks. We will support the injured and will do everything that we have planned and will restore and build everything that has been planned to be restored and built," the president said.

Thailand

Reconciliation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday urged a "peaceful solution" to bitter political divisions in the country that have spurred sometimes bloody protests, causing the embattled premier to call a snap election.

Yingluck vowed not to give up working for reconciliation in the crisis-hit nation.

"The entire Thai people, regardless of political ideology or different beliefs, (should) turn toward each other to find a peaceful solution for our country," she said in a New Year's message on her official Facebook page.

Germany

Unity

Chancellor Angela Merkel called for the commitment, dedication and togetherness of the German people in the year ahead in her annual New Year's address.

"What every one of us accomplishes individually on a small scale, that affects our country at large," Merkel said.

"In order to keep Germany strong in the future, it is particularly important to ensure that we hand on our finances in good order to the next generation," she said.

"Progress in our country is dependent upon progress in Europe and a permanent solution to the European sovereign debt crisis."

South Korea

Economy, Security

President Park Geun-hye said on Tuesday that the government will focus on economic recovery and national security in the new year of 2014.

"My administration will channel the national capabilities into reinforcing the hard-won gains of economic recovery, to invigorate the economy and stabilize the day-to-day lives of the people," Park said in her New Year's message.

Park pledged to maintain an "impregnable" security posture and prepare contingency plans against any possible provocation from Pyongyang, saying that the government will redouble its efforts to further promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and lay groundwork for peaceful reunification.

United Kingdom

Flagship

Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday that Britain would become a post-recession flagship in 2014.

Writing in The Times newspaper, Cameron said Britain was a country on the rise. He warned against "the great mistakes that led up to the Great Recession - more borrowing, more spending and more debt".

"2014 is when we start to turn Britain into the flagship of post-Great Recession success story. With record numbers of new businesses, we can be the enterprise capital of Europe," he said.

India

Hope

"The new year is a time for each one of us to reflect upon the year gone by, the successes and achievements as well as the lapses and shortcomings," said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday.

Singh said the new year "provides an opportunity to reassess ourselves and to plan for the year ahead, taking corrective action and setting new goals. It is a time of hope, a time to make a new beginning with resolve and confidence to achieve these goals".

Japan

Constitutional Amendment

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday that the pacifist post-World War II Constitution could be amended by 2020.

"As it has been 68 years since its enactment now, national debate should be further deepened toward a revision to grasp the changing times," he said.

"Now is the time for Japan to take a big step forward toward a new nation-building effort."

On his security policy, Abe said that "we will resolutely protect to the end Japan's territorial land, sea and air".

Singapore

Stabilization

Singapore's trade-sensitive economy exceeded forecasts to expand 3.7 percent in 2013, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday, as it benefited from a stabilizing global economic environment.

In his New Year's message e-mailed to the media, Lee said the growth rate was "better than initially expected".

"The European and American economies are stabilizing," Lee said, adding that "Asian prospects are still positive, but there are problems and tensions" - a reference to the various territorial disputes in the region as well as tensions in the Korean peninsula.

He said the city-state's economy, seen as a bellwether for the region, is expected to achieve 2.0 to 4.0 percent growth in 2014.

South Africa

Prosperity

President Jacob Zuma delivered his New Year's message for 2014 on Tuesday, calling for the nation to work together for prosperous dreams.

"A prosperous South Africa would be achieved when there is work for everyone, a society where everyone would be able to make a meaningful contribution to the development of the country," he said.

He also said South Africans must build on Nelson Mandela's legacy of racial unity and reconciliation in memory of the anti-apartheid hero.

Addressing foreign policy in 2014, the president said that South Africa would build stronger relations with the world.

Xinhua-AFP

(China Daily 01/02/2014 page12)