As the 2025 Spring Festival approaches, Chinese consumers are flocking to markets to purchase aquatic products and meat in preparation for the festive feasts, driving up sales ahead of a holiday that is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and tradition.
Located in eastern China's Fujian Province, the Fujian Strait Aquatic Products Trading Center in Fuzhou, the largest spot market for aquatic products in Southeast Asia, is witnessing a surge in trading volumes starting on New Year's Day, with trading activity expected to reach its peak ahead of the festival.
Covering an area of over 300,000 square meters, the center primarily serves as a wholesale market, with its sales network spanning across the entire country.
According to the market's manager, before Jan 1, approximately 3,000 trucks delivered products daily. In the past two days, the number has risen to 3,500 trucks, and it is expected to reach 7,000 trucks in the days leading up to the festival.
In Jinhua City in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, the beef and mutton market has also entered its peak season, with a significant rise in sales of both products at wholesale markets and fresh supermarkets.
"I bought a lamb chop to make mutton hot pot, which is good for health during this cold winter," said a customer.
The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Jan 29 this year and the Spring Festival holiday will last until Feb 4. It is China's most important festival and an occasion for family reunion.
Sales of aquatic products, meat surge ahead of Spring Festival
Annalena Baerbock, president of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), commended China's steadfast commitment to the multilateral system with the United Nations at its center.
Baerbock visited Beijing from April 29 to 30, where she met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss the need to defend the UN Charter and the international order in challenging times.
In an interview with China Media Group during the visit, she underscored the crucial importance of upholding and advancing multilateral systems.
"In a time where the international order and multilateralism is under pressure, it's the main job of the President of the General Assembly to defend the Charter and all the three principles -- peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights. And I called for a cross-regional alliance to stand up for multilateralism. And therefore, I came here to China, one of not only the founding members of the United Nations, but one of the strongest supporters for multilateralism, be it financial wise, as currently the biggest financial donor, but also with regard to the support of the peacekeeping mission with a strong engagement in sustainable development, and to not only value these commitments, but also to encourage others to join forces," Baerbock said.
In nominal terms, China is the second-largest financial contributor to the United Nations' regular budget, behind the United States. Yet, it is considered the de facto top financial contributor, as the U.S. frequently withholds or delays its payments.
China is also the second-largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and provides more peacekeepers than any of the other permanent members of the UN Security Council.
UNGA president hails China's strong support for multilateralism
