UN SDGs align with China's Global Development Initiative: UN official

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) align strongly with China's Global Development Initiative (GDI), according to Siddharth Chatterjee, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China.

In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Chatterjee said the two initiatives shared similar philosophies and objectives.

He said China's 2025 economic growth target of around 5 percent is the key to sustaining China's growth momentum.

"Therefore the 5 percent target is crucial in order to maintain the velocity and the ambition that China has. Because ultimately we will need that kind of growth, not only to generate the employment that we need, but the desire of China that by 2035, it is a moderately prosperous society having nearly 800 (million) people in the middle class category. So, those investments have to be made now. So, not just the speed that we need in making sure that the 5 percent rate of growth is maintained and perhaps more. At the same time, how do we create a new workforce where we re-skill them, bring them the new skills that we need? Because today there are five things that will define the momentum for the way forward. Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, fintech, biotech will define progress across the world. How do we embrace these technologies and make them a social good? Make sure that people who have been affected by the jobs that it may take over are able to transition onto new jobs," he said.

He said that China's ongoing reform programs and its efforts to advance the modernization of the country will provide valuable experience for economic development in other parts of the world.

"Whether it's in the space of technology, whether it's in the space of green development, whether it's in the space of climate, whether it's in the space of poverty eradication, in all these areas, China has done extremely well. And what it has done very well was it invested in human capital, invested in infrastructure, invested in business. Now this collective, therefore, provides the momentum that is needed. It's a good model for many other countries which have challenges with it, which is why I said that the UN sees itself as a convener, connector and a catalyzer of partnerships, in order to allow more South-South collaboration, more knowledge sharing to happen," he said.

UN SDGs align with China's Global Development Initiative: UN official

A group of Japanese people took to the street in Tokyo on Thursday, demanding Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to retract her erroneous remarks concerning China's Taiwan region and opposing her plan to expand the military.

At a Diet meeting on Nov 7, Takaichi claimed that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan and implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait, which has immediately sparked strong criticism at home and abroad.

Some protesters gathering near the National Diet Building were holding placards against Takaichi regime's efforts to incite war and promote xenophobia, while others read "smash military buildup budget," as Takaichi's blatant interference into China's internal affairs seems to be part of her attempt to lift Japan's military restrictions using the so-called external threats as an excuse.

"The China-Japan Joint Statement has already confirmed the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Japan once invaded and occupied Taiwan for 50 years. Is Japan to repeat the disastrous policy? It's the Japanese people's responsibility to prevent that from happening," said a protester.

"Japan did invade China and killed many Chinese people in history. Instead of soul-searching, the Japanese government is seeking to do it again. This must not be allowed," said another protester.

In late November, the Japanese government approved a supplementary budget proposal for fiscal 2025 (April 2025-March 2026), boosting defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) ahead of schedule.

Japan's accelerated increase in defense spending and remilitarization attempts over the past few years have raised widespread concerns and opposition and reignited doubts about the country's future direction.

"The Constitution says armed forces 'will never be maintained,' yet Japan has self-defense forces now. This is self-contradictory. In nature it's no different from the situation before the end of the war," said another protester.

Japanese rally against PM, military buildup