Global cooperation

China has been deepening global cooperation, especially South-South cooperation, on climate change.

More than 1.2 billion yuan had been earmarked for South-South cooperation by the end of August, and 13 cooperation agreements had been signed, with training sessions relating to climate mitigation held for 2,000 people from developing nations.

Xie Zhenhua, China's special envoy on climate change, held talks with counterparts from seven Pacific Islands countries on Sept 14 to exchange views and strengthen cooperation ahead of COP27 in Egypt next month.

China will provide further support to the island nations in tackling climate change by helping them set up low-carbon demonstration zones, carrying out climate change mitigation and adaptation projects, and conducting training.

Similar cooperation is also taking place between China and Africa. The two sides issued a joint declaration in December to cooperate on combating climate change.

"It's so inspiring to see how China has moved from a very polluted country to a global green leader," Solheim said.

He said that China is a world leader in solar, wind, hydro, green hydrogen, electric mobility and other green technologies.

"The Belt and Road Initiative is a huge opportunity to share these technologies with the world," said Solheim, referring to the initiative first put forward by Xi in 2013 to build infrastructure and boost economic cooperation and development on a global scale. "China's idea of 'ecological civilization' should be the global ambition of the 21st century."

In an earlier interview with China Daily, European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans said that the EU and China can work together in many fields, from renewable energy to electric cars, to help not only themselves but also the developing world bring noncarbon-based energy to its people.

"I see very many areas where the European Union and China can develop their relationship to make this transition go smoothly, and to do it in the interests of our people and also to leave no one behind," said the former Dutch Foreign Minister who is now also the European Commissioner for Climate Action.

Timmermans and Vice-Premier Han Zheng held the third China-EU High-level Environment and Climate Dialogue via video link on July 8, with both pledging further cooperation on the front.

The EU, which set up its Emission Trading System in 2005, provided expertise to China in launching its national carbon trading market last year, something of which Timmermans is proud.

Pascal Lamy, former director-general of the World Trade Organization and now president of the Paris Peace Forum, said that despite their different situations, closer cooperation between China and the EU would be beneficial. He listed the six areas of the emissions trading system, trade, technology, finance, the ocean and forests where both sides should cooperate.

"Both the EU and China have to succeed, for themselves and also for the rest of the world," he said at a talk in Brussels last month.