Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, sent his congratulations to people celebrating the Lunar New Year.
Sheikh Mohamed said he hoped the occasion would herald a period of "peace, prosperity and good fortune".
The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a calendar year that bases its months on the cycles of the Moon.
It is observed in China and much of Asia.
Sheikh Mohamed posted his well wishes on Twitter in Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean, as well as in English and Arabic.
"Congratulations to the Chinese people and everyone celebrating Lunar New Year in the UAE and around the world," he said.
"May the year ahead be one of peace, prosperity and good fortune."
Each Chinese New Year is associated with an animal according to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, which features 12 animals including the ox (2021), rat, dragon, horse, monkey and rooster.
This is the Year of the Tiger. The calendar is based on a 12-year cycle, with the last Tiger year falling in 2010.
Chinese residents across the Emirates have marked the key date in the calendar, while grand celebrations have been held at the country's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai in recent days.
New Year cheer around the world
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People gather for a Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve celebration in Denpasar, Bali. Getty Images -
A worshipper in Bali wears a Covid-19 face mask as he prays during a Lunar New Year's Eve celebration at Vihara Satya Dharma, a Buddhist temple. Getty Images -
An elderly woman prays in Bali, Indonesia. The first day of the Lunar New Year, on February 1, ushered in the Year of the Tiger. Getty Images -
Filipino dragon dancers perform in Manila, where Lunar New Year celebrations were muted despite Covid-19 lockdown protocols being gradually eased. EPA -
A woman lights a candle during Lunar New Year celebrations at the Hok Lay Kiong temple in Bekasi, Indonesia. AP Photo -
Thai dragon dancers perform on the streets of Chinatown in Bangkok. Owing to a rise in Covid-19 cases, authorities officially cancelled all public celebrations during the Chinese Lunar New Year. However, people continue to celebrate in Bangkok's Chinatown, at Chinese temples and Yaowarat Walking Street. Getty Images -
People pray at a temple to celebrate the Lunar New Year in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Reuters -
A boy plays under lanterns decorating the Hok Lay Kiong temple in Bekasi, Indonesia. AP -
People look at ice sculptures of tigers as Finland's capital Helsinki celebrates the Lunar New Year. EPA -
Ethnic Chinese worshipers pray at a temple in Bali, Indonesia. AP -
Members of a Balinese Chinese family wearing Balinese attire pray at the Vihara Dharmayana Kuta temple. Getty Images -
North Korean refugees bow to show respect for their ancestors as they visit the Imjingak Pavilion near the border with North Korea, to celebrate the Lunar New Year, in Paju, South Korea. AP -
Lion dancers perform at a temple in Bali, Indonesia. AP -
A man visits Mazu Miao temple to pray on the Lunar New Year's Eve in Yokohama Chinatown in Yokohama, Japan. Getty Images
