Xi looks to greener growth across globe

Shared progress

At the Leaders' Summit of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity on Oct 12, President Xi stressed the need to "step up green international cooperation and share the fruits of green development among all countries".

Also at various global venues, Xi has reiterated Beijing's pledge that "China will step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy".

Speaking to member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Nov 22 via video link, Xi said China is willing to discuss the establishment of a China-ASEAN clean energy cooperation center, enhance technology sharing in renewable energies and launch the Action Plan on China-ASEAN Green Agriculture.

In a speech to African nations on Nov 29, Xi announced that "China will undertake 10 green development, environmental protection and climate action projects for Africa", support the development of the Africa-led Great Green Wall initiative and build centers of excellence on low-carbon development and climate change adaptation in Africa.

Kargbo, the UNIDO China representative, said China is "willing to share their experience, to share their technology, to share their experiences with others. It's not holding you back.

"Developing countries are not the biggest polluters, but they are the biggest losers. So it is very urgent for the rest of the world to support developing countries to go on a trajectory of carbon neutral development," he added.

Tu, the head of UNEP's China office, said China's success in eradicating absolute poverty contributes a lot to environmental preservation because "poverty is closely linked to low-end, high-emission production that does great harm to the natural environment".

"China's solving its own problems is in itself a major contribution to the world because of its remarkable size of population and economy," he added.

On building a green Belt and Road, Beijing has vowed to align with international rules and standards, carry out more high-quality projects and ensure that the projects are economically and environmentally sustainable.

Wang, the Central University of Finance and Economics scholar, noted that while the world is faced with huge infrastructure gaps, China has become a major funding source for infrastructure projects in other developing countries.

"Energy and transportation are key areas of China's funding related to the BRI. Renewable energy has become a priority area for the country's overseas energy investment since last year," she said.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Dec 17 that China welcomes "the participation of more countries in the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development to pursue deeper cooperation on green infrastructure, green energy, green investment and green finance".