In the one-minute video posted to his Twitter account, Johnson first sent his new year wishes and thanked the British Chinese community "for the incredible contribution you make to our country, consistently achieving so much in everything from education to business and medicine", the Xinhua news agency reported. 

"Unfortunately this year's celebrations can not include the usual dragon dances and other fantastic festivities, because of our battle against the Covid. But I hope all of us can take heart from this Year of the Ox," said the prime minister. 

"And just as that mighty beast (Ox) demonstrates strength and determination, as it forges ahead to make progress, so too, I believe, we will win our struggle against the pandemic," he added. 

Looking ahead to the Chinese New Year, he noted that Britain and China "have many shared challenges" from defeating Covid-19 to tackling climate change and supporting a worldwide economic recovery. 

"I wish you, and all those celebrating across the globe, a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year. Gung Hay Fat Choy (a Cantonese phrase delivers a wish for prosperity)," he concluded. 

Chinese New Year celebrations have been holding across Britain. London's Trafalgar Square has been lit up red since Wednesday night for the Chinese Lunar New Year, which begins on Friday. 

The Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important festival in China. Celebrations begin about a week in advance and end with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the new year.