China Development Bank (CDB) issued 1.64 trillion yuan (about 237 billion U.S. dollars) in infrastructure loans in 2025, the bank announced on Wednesday.
As a leading bank serving infrastructure construction, the CDB granted the loans to infrastructure in five key areas: network-type infrastructure, industrial upgrading, urban development, agriculture and rural areas, and national security.
The loans supported the construction of a number of major projects, including the Shanghai–Chongqing–Chengdu High-speed Railway, as well as information, science and technology infrastructure projects such as the "East Data, West Computing," a megaproject that aims to coordinate the computing capabilities of China's eastern regions with inland western regions, and high-standard farmland construction.
These efforts helped various regions develop new quality productive forces and effectively served to expand effective investment.
Moving forward, the CDB will focus on strategic and landmark major projects, innovate market-based investment and financing models for infrastructure, assist in the renovation and digital-intelligent transformation of traditional infrastructure, and support the moderately forward-looking construction of new infrastructure, the bank said.
China Development Bank issues 1.64 trln yuan loans for infrastructure
Cities and towns across China are celebrating the approaching Spring Festival with vibrant folk performances and festive activities.
The Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, falls on Feb 17 this year. It is one of the most important holidays in China, celebrated with family reunions and wishes for good luck in the coming year.
A New Year fair was held at Beijing's Longfusi commercial area, a well-known hub for folk culture, under the theme of "Fu," -- the Chinese character symbolizing good fortune. The event featured two performance areas and 53 booths, attracting 57 brands and significantly boosting consumption.
In Guangping County, Handan City, north China's Hebei Province, a lively dumpling feast brought thousands of people together. The entire village, young and old, gathered to welcome the Spring Festival in the most traditional but simple way, filling the countryside with a strong flavor of the new year.
During the Spring Festival holiday, residents and tourists enjoyed a festive celebration at Baimai Spring Garden in Jinan City, capital of east China's Shandong Province, where a variety of colorful activities were staged.
Jinan is the hometown of Li Qingzhao, widely regarded as the greatest woman poet in Chinese history. In her honor, five actresses dressed as the poet to interact with visitors.
In addition to watching performances, the tourists could also experience ancient market life and taste local specialties. Meanwhile, a New Year cruise performance was staged on Sunday in Hanyuan County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Nine performance teams, comprising more than 300 performers, took turns presenting their shows.
Hanyuan is renowned for its aromatic Sichuan peppercorns, which were historically presented as tribute to Chinese emperors. The performance ingeniously wove this signature local product into its acts, attracting crowds of street onlookers who paused to watch and raised their phones to record the captivating scenes.
"It is particularly innovative to combine the characteristics of Hanyuan pepper -- inherited for thousands of years -- with the auspicious meaning of the Year of the Horse. The streets are filled with a strong festive atmosphere, and I am truly happy," said Zhang Yan, a local resident.
Folk activities held across China to celebrate Spring Festival
