He said he also hoped that festivals and celebrations, such as the Chinese New year celebrated on Friday, would remind the people of how lucky they were to live in this harmonious and peaceful country.
"I hope all of us will continue to do our level best to preserve the peace in the country until the end of time," he told reporters after attending MCA's Chinese New Year Open House at Wisma MCA, Jalan Ampang here on Friday.
Najib said he also hoped that the new lunar year would open a new chapter for Malaysians to continue making transformation for the country's economy.
"...this must be based on the good relations between all races because peace and harmony are the pillars of success for our country," he said.
Also present at the open house were the prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Barisan Nasional component party leaders.
Meanwhile, when asked by Xinhua News Agency chief correspondent Hu Guang Yao, Najib said he was very confident that Malaysia-China relationships were getting stronger.
"I like to express my warmest greetings, a very happy Chinese New Year to our Chinese friends in China, I believe this year is very auspicious year for China-Malaysia relations because it marks the 40th anniversary," he said.
Earlier, Najib and Muhyiddin, joined BN party leaders, in mixing and tossing "yee sang", the traditional raw dish, often symbolises good luck for the new year.
Najib and Rosmah then proceeded to attend another Chinese New Year Open House organised by Gerakan at Menara PGRM in Cheras here.
The couple, clad in matching red outfits were greeted by Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong amid the beating of drums and lion dances.
Also present were Muhyiddin, Tun Dr Mahathir and former Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
People's Progressive Party president Datuk Seri M.Kayveas and several Cabinet ministers, including Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, also attended the open house.
They also joined other BN component party leaders to mix and toss the "yee sang" dish.
Over 5,000 people who attended the open house as early as 8.30 am were served with various Chinese dishes and delicacies, including grilled chicken and 'Mi Bing', 'fried kuih bakul' and 'kuih kapit', besides mandarin oranges and tangerines, which are considered traditional symbols of abundance and good fortune.
