Sustainable finance in China has emerged as a new strategy to promote women's development and bridge gender disparities, according to a leading Chinese green finance expert in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Beijing.
Dr. Wang Yao, Director-General of the International Institute of Green Finance and a leading voice in China's green finance sector, discussed China's recent efforts to shape policies that connect sustainability with gender equality in the interview ahead of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women.
Wang said the connection between finance and women runs both ways. On one hand, the financial sector is creating new opportunities for women -- from supporting their economic empowerment to opening doors for leadership and decision-making roles. On the other hand, women are reshaping finance itself, driving innovation in green and sustainable growth.
"First, as we know, the UN in 2015 has proposed 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, with Goal 5 being gender equality. In China's finance sector, there are over 8 million employees. More than 4 million women are in the workforce, accounting for over half of the total. So, the integration of finance and women is crucial. This is important not only for achieving our sustainable development goals, but also because the finance sector itself needs more women to leverage their unique strengths, such as resilience, attentiveness, prudence, responsibility, and innovation," said Wang.
Wang also emphasized the important role that women play in promoting sustainable and green development.
"Women are a key force driving sustainable and green development. In green sectors, particularly since the 'dual carbon' goals were proposed, we see a very high level of female participation. When facing challenges related to sustainability, the environment, climate change, and biodiversity, their resilience drives long-term, sustained support. Furthermore, our national strategies actively protect and promote women's rights, demonstrating comprehensive respect for women across society," she said.
Sustainable finance is a new Chinese strategy to promote women development: expert
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
