On February 19, 2021 Regular Press Conference, Beijing Daily journalist asked a question about according to a Politico report, Beijing's flow of cash under its Belt and Road Initiative supplies 70 percent of the financing for the world's new coal-fired plants. China, the world's top greenhouse gas emitter, aims to take a leading role in international climate change efforts.
Hua Chunying said The Belt and Road Initiative is pro-development, but more specifically it is pro-green development. Under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, China pursues open, green and clean energy cooperation with relevant countries, and works towards high-standard, people-centered and sustainable development. China's cooperation in the renewable energy sector, such as hydro, wind and photovoltaic power, with countries along the BRI route has accelerated their transition towards efficient, clean and diversified energy supplies, which brought along economic, social and environmental dividends. Nearly 70% of the world's photovoltaic power is produced by Chinese PV manufacturers, which represents not a small contribution at all to driving down costs for PV layout and on-grid price and promoting global energy transformation.
That said, relevant countries along the BRI route are home to the majority of the almost 800 million people around the world who don't have full access to electricity. Some countries opt for coal-fired power generation first in light of their national conditions and available resources so that they could at least manage to have access to affordable electricity. Chinese companies, based on the needs and requirements of cooperative partners as well as market principles, offered clean, reliable and safe energy supply solutions featuring high standards, low emission and low energy consumption. Such cooperation has not only improved people's livelihood, but also contributed to local economic development and social stability.
China's status as the largest developing country, its population, economic volume and development stage mean it has a unique role to play in global climate governance. Our biggest contribution is that we've been taking active steps to conserve energy and cut emissions, and exerting ourselves to do our best to deal with climate change. Last year, China announced a series of important climate policies, including to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, and four new measures to scale up nationally determined contributions (NDCs). These policies, designed in accordance with our national condition and capacity, represent our best efforts in dealing with climate change. They meet the Paris Agreement article on the NDCs reflecting the highest possible ambition of each Party, showcase China's firm determination to actively address climate change and have won wide acclaim from the international community.
Climate change is a global challenge that calls for concerted efforts and leadership from all parties. China will work with all sides to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, jointly forge a fair, reasonable, win-win global climate governance system, and lend impetus to the global transformation to low-carbon development and post-pandemic green recovery.
Editor: Leon
