New year greetings posted by different embassies online met with a surprising array of responses from Chinese citizens, ranging from the politely curt to the somewhat sarcastic, to downright angry.

"Gold snakes are dancing out the old year, and ten thousand horses are galloping to welcome the New Year! We wish everyone a happy new year," the US Embassy said on Weibo.

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"Repay immediately!" several microbloggers replied. 

"We hope Americans work hard in the new year and pay the money back as soon as possible. If it is too hard to repay, take Washington to pay in kind," other Weibo users chimed in.

The US Embassy's greeting was shared almost 50,000 times in one night.

The responses to the Japanese Embassy's new year greetings were not any kinder, with thousands of them echoing a similar message: "Diaoyu Island belongs to China!" 

Ambassador Kite Masahito had posted: "Happy New Year, everyone. Did everyone get home safely? Are you enjoying this time of family reunion? Today, my coworkers are still working. They will take holidays from tomorrow. On behalf of the Japanese Embassy in China, I wish everyone Happy Chinese New Year, family happiness and peace."

A rare level-headed response posted by Weibo user "Duxiayizhao" received many thumbs up.  He said, "For the sake of friendship, I hope Japan can reflect on history, face up to the present; respect the national sentiments of Chinese people, stop visiting Yasukuni Shrine, return Chinese territory."

The Russian Embassy, on the other hand, received a simple "Happy New Year" response from citizens when it posted, "The Russia Embassy in China wishes Chinese friends happy New Year, good health, good luck in everything in the year of horse."