By love-89.com During a press briefing on October 23, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to inquiries about the recent reports from the International Energy Agency (IEA) regarding global energy dynamics.
A reporter pointed out that the IEA’s 2024 World Energy Outlook and Renewable Energy Report highlighted that the global energy market is entering an “electric era” led by China, particularly noting China’s role in advancing the electric vehicle sector. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol remarked that nearly all contemporary energy stories are rooted in China. However, some media outlets, including Foreign Policy, have criticized China’s energy transition plans as being overly conservative, suggesting that the country could take more ambitious steps. The spokesperson was asked for his thoughts on this contrast.
Lin addressed the question by emphasizing China’s commitment to climate change mitigation and the active promotion of a green energy transition along with industrial restructuring. He noted that over the past decade, clean energy generation in China has accounted for more than half of the country’s electricity increase, with renewable energy capacity additions comprising over 40% of the global total. Additionally, he highlighted that China has reduced carbon emissions by approximately 3 billion tons, making it one of the fastest countries in terms of energy intensity reduction and the leading nation in renewable energy usage. Lin mentioned that China has established the world’s largest carbon trading market and is collaborating on green energy projects with over 100 countries and regions, successfully launching numerous landmark hydropower, photovoltaic, and wind energy projects in developing nations while ceasing to build new coal power projects abroad. The “new three samples” industries are evolving rapidly in an open competitive environment, contributing significant advanced green capacity to the global energy transition.
In response to the criticisms by certain Western media, Lin pointed out that China is focused on its unique national conditions and developmental stage, balancing its energy transition while nurturing new productive forces to achieve a virtuous cycle of high-quality economic and social development. He stressed that successful global energy transition goals necessitate collaborative efforts from all countries, particularly urging developed nations to fulfill their commitments and create favorable conditions for international green cooperation. He cautioned that protectionism, unilateralism, and excessive politicization would ultimately harm the collective interests of the international community.
Lin concluded by asserting that the global energy transition should not just be about a “Chinese story,” but rather a “world story” built on unity and cooperation among nations. He referenced the direction outlined for China’s clean energy development at the recent Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party, reaffirming China’s commitment to ecological civilization and its aim to deepen international green cooperation, enhancing sustainable energy development worldwide. In doing so, China seeks to make a greater contribution to global climate change response and the green low-carbon transition.