China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become a key project in the advancement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said the head of a UN pact for the promotion of socially responsible business practices.
Sanda Ojiambo, chief executive officer of the UN Global Compact, emphasized the initiative's significant contributions to green growth, job creation, and inclusive infrastructure in an exclusive interview with China Global Network Television (CGTN).
"I think when the BRI, done right -- and we've seen this in some of the infrastructure projects -- has a lot of similar important tenants, the focus on a green economy, the focus on jobs, the focus on inclusivity. I think it does help fast track a lot of the 2030 agendas. Underpinning this, I think the infrastructure for the SDGs is so important. It's not simply infrastructure as embedded in our sustainable development goal nine, but it's infrastructure for trade, infrastructure for health systems, infrastructure for economies to grow. Green, inclusive, long term sustainable infrastructure is so important for the development of many of the economies where China has invested," said Ojiambo.
"I think also we see China's investment towards bridging the SDG financing gap. That's really important. I just recently mentioned the financing for development conference, I think that it's really important to drive the SDGs forward. I think one of the really key pieces is around how the investment through the BRI is green, is sustainable and demonstrates the importance of renewable energy resources, making sure that investments are net positive in terms of climate, water, and biodiversity, restoration as well," she said.
UN official hails China's role in advancing global sustainable development goals
More than a month ahead of the Chinese New Year, restaurants across China have reported a booming demand for reunion dinners, with popular places already fully reserved.
The family reunion dinners on the eve of the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is the most important meal of the year for Chinese people. It has long been an essential part of celebrating the Chinese New Year. This year, the festival falls on Feb 17.
In Taiyuan, capital city of north China's Shanxi Province, one restaurant said all tables for the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner have been reserved.
"We now have 36 private rooms and 13 tables in the hall. The New Year's Eve dinner is fully booked. Many families started reserving as early as November 2025," said Han Huiyan, a restaurant manager.
To meet the demand, many restaurants start to offer takeaway banquet package that can be easily prepared at home, allowing families to enjoy a variety of festive dishes without dining out.
In Ningbo, a city in east China's Zhejiang Province, many popular restaurants said that they are approaching full reservation levels. To reduce peak demand, some restaurants now offer off-peak reunion dinners starting later at night.
"We now offer a 'second round' of New Year's Eve dinners, which start at 19:30. We also offer discount for such New Year's Eve dinners, a promotion of 20 percent off set menus," said Sun Lijuan, a restaurant manager.
In Lianyungang, a city in east China's Jiangsu Province, smaller private rooms of a local restaurant have been nearly sold out, and customized menus and home-delivery services have drawn strong interest.
"This year we have specially launched the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner delivery service. Bookings are very strong and customers really like this option," said Geng Maoran, a restaurant general manager.
Restaurants see surge in bookings for Chinese New Year's Eve dinners
