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Illustration: Chen Xia/GT
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech via video link at the Leaders Meeting on Climate and the Just Transition on Wednesday. He highlighted that China is a steadfast actor and major contributor in promoting global green development, noting that China is willing to work with all parties to earnestly honor the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, do the utmost respectively and collectively, and build a clean, beautiful, and sustainable world together. “As long as we enhance confidence, solidarity and cooperation, we will overcome the headwinds and steadily move forward global climate governance and all progressive endeavors of the world,” he noted.
These remarks not only represent a solemn pledge to the international community but also serve as a clear and rational guide in a time of global uncertainty.
The world is currently at a critical juncture regarding climate action. On one side, the movement toward green and low-carbon development has emerged as a key trend of our time; on the other side, the global agreement on climate issues is facing significant challenges and setbacks. While some nations have taken steps back or withdrawn from their commitments, others have taken the initiative to advance efforts. In this challenging and prolonged “test of humanity,” China has provided essential stability and assurance in the realm of global climate governance.
Ecological civilization has been integrated into China’s national development strategy. From the introduction of the idea that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” to efforts in “building a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system,” green transformation has become the defining characteristic of China’s development in the new era.
The Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced on Wednesday that China has unveiled a national implementation plan on fulfilling the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer during the 2025-2030 period.
“Ozone depletion is a major global concern and a significant factor in climate change,” Yang Fuqiang, a research fellow at Peking University’s Research Institute for Energy, told the Global Times. ”China’s steadfast support for the Montreal Protocol has played a crucial leadership role in global climate governance, greenhouse gas reduction, and energy transition. It represents an essential and steadfast commitment,” Yang added.
In stark contrast to China’s steady progress are the regressive stances of some Western countries. The most prominent example is the US, which announced its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement earlier this year. The US is moving counter to the direction urgently needed to address the climate crisis – prioritizing “national interests” over shared global responsibilities.
When certain Western countries are retreating from their climate commitments, China has remained steadfast in carrying out its green transformation, gradually fulfilling its promises to itself and to the world according to its own timetable.
The rapid development of a green low-carbon economy, the accelerated transformation of the manufacturing industry toward sustainability, the global sales of electric vehicles, further improvements in the ecological environment, ongoing actions to combat climate change, and increased participation in global green cooperation… all of these have demonstrated that a vibrant and green China is contributing more “green energy” to global green development.
No matter how the international situation changes, China’s actions to actively address climate change will not slow down. China is moving forward with great determination, setting an example for the world. Today’s China is a country that incorporates green development into its development philosophy and is willing to take on the shared future of humanity. This reflects the demeanor of a great nation.
globaltimes.cn
