As the Spring Festival approaches, restaurants across China are witnessing a surge in early bookings for Chinese New Year's Eve dinners, with many establishments already fully booked.
The New Year's Eve dinner, where families gather to celebrate the Spring Festival, is regarded by some as the most important meal of the year for the Chinese people, eaten on the eve of the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
According to Shanghai Restaurants Cuisine Association, major time-honored restaurants in the megacity have nearly sold out their private dining rooms for the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner.
At one such restaurant on the Nanjing Road pedestrian street, inquiries and reservations for New Year's Eve dinners have been pouring in.
"My parents and relatives will come to Shanghai from other cities to celebrate the Spring Festival with me so I am here to book a New Year's Eve dinner. My parents particularly love the time-honored restaurants in Shanghai," said a customer named Wang Guan.
Restaurants have made efforts to meet the diverse dining needs of customers this year, with some adding local specialties or making adjustment to the set menu based on the demand of the customers.
"In previous years, we mostly received regular customers living in Shanghai. However, the situation is different this year, as we have guests from other parts of the country and even other countries making reservations in advance, as well as inquiries coming in via phone. Guests from around the world are booking, as many people are planning to celebrate the Spring Festival in China," said Cai Mengyun, catering business manager of the restaurant.
The Spring Festival falls on Jan 29, 2025.
Restaurants see surge in early bookings for Chinese New Year's Eve dinners
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
