BEIJING, Jan. 1 -- As the world is entering the new year of 2015, global leaders, as a tradition, delivered their New Year speeches, voicing greeting messages with hope and confidence.

CHINA: REFORM

In an address transmitted live by state broadcasters, Chinese President Xi Jinping told domestic and overseas audiences that 2014 was an "unforgettable" year.

He underscored the need to continue reform and to advance the rule of law in 2015 in his New Year speech on Wednesday, comparing them to "a bird's two wings".

"In 2014, we pressed ahead with reform, cracked many hard nuts and introduced important reforms close to the interests of our citizens," he said. "We adapted to the new normal of economic growth; actively promoted economic and social development; and improved the quality of people's life."

RUSSIA: CRIMEA

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation on the New Year's Eve that the decision of "getting back home" by Crimea and Sevastopol people "will forever remain a most important milestone in the national history."

He thanked the nation for unity and solidarity, and called on Russians to make a difference together in 2015.

"The new year's shape is in our own hands. It will depend on how effectively, creatively and productively each of us will be doing one's job. There are just no other recipes. We must accomplish and implement every single plan of ours -- for our own sake, for the sake of our children and for the sake of Russia." Putin said.

DPRK: DIALOGUE

Top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un on Thursday called on South Korea to halt all provocative war maneuvers and emphasized that there is no reason not to hold highest-level north-south talks in a televised New Year's speech.

The year of 2015 will mark a turning point for blazing a path toward independent reunification of the Korean nation, he noted.

He said there is no reason not to hold summit talks between north and south when such atmosphere and climate are matured.

The DPRK will make an all-out effort to promote inter-Korean dialogue and negotiations in the future, Kim emphasized.

FRANCE: PROGRESS

French President Francois Hollande pledged "progress of all the fields and for everyone" in 2015 in his New Year speech.

"It's a message of confidence and determination that I address you tonight ... France is a great country and we have every reason to have confidence in ourselves providing that we move forward, be bold and refuse the status-quo," Hollande told French citizens.

The president, who is scheduled to host a high-profile international gathering on climate change by the end of 2015, said he is eying a "declaration on the rights of humanity to preserve the planet."

According to a Harris Interactive survey on Wednesday, Hollande ended 2014 with a good note after collecting more support to his controversial economic and social policy, with his popularity rising by 7 percentage points to 25 percent.

ITALY: RESIGNATION

However, situation in Italy is not the same. President Giorgio Napolitano confirmed his early resignation in the New Year greeting.

"My speech tonight will be destined also to the one who will soon take in the role of president I am about to leave, giving my resignation," he said at the very beginning of his speech.

The 89-year-old president said his age was making it increasingly difficult for him to do the job.

GERMANY: REFUGEES

German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended Germany's welcome to refugees fleeing wars and rejected right-wing leaders' claims in her New Year speech.

Merkel rebuked anti-immigrant demonstrators, accusing right-wing leaders of having hatred in their hearts. "Do not follow those who are appealing to you! Because too often there is prejudice, coldness, even hatred in their hearts." she said.

The Chancellor addressed the issue of refugees in her New Year speech as a new movement, Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West (PEGIDA), has held a series of weekly demonstrations in the eastern city of Dresden to denounce Muslims in Germany and to protest against the recent wave of refugees entering the country.