BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday extended Chinese Lunar New Year greetings to all overseas Chinese, returned overseas Chinese and their relatives.

Li Haifeng, director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, said in a New Year speech that 2009 was a special year, in which China withstood the impact of international financial crisis and cross-Strait relations showed momentum for peaceful development.

"We sincerely hope that overseas Chinese will continue to contribute to the great cause of peaceful reunification of China," she said.

Li extended best wishes for the Spring Festival -- which falls on Sunday -- to Chinese all over the world and promised that overseas Chinese affairs offices at all levels would continue to improve services to overseas Chinese and protect their rights.