Fiji Sun

CHINA’S OVERSEAS COAL POWER PLANT PROMISE A PARADIGM SHIFT

- XINHUA COMMENTARY

In a major policy announceme­nt that has quickly won praise across the world, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will not build new coalfired power projects abroad at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he welcomes the announceme­nt made by President Xi. The United States climate envoy John Kerry called it “an extremely welcome decision.” Alok Sharma, president-designate of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), also hailed Xi’s announceme­nt.

This is the latest step China has taken to tackle global climate change which requires ambition and action. As the world’s largest clean energy equipment manufactur­er, China has been actively working toward green and lowcarbon global energy transition by engaging in extensive cooperatio­n in renewable energy.

China’s efforts can be seen in cooperatio­n projects such as the Kaleta hydropower project in Guinea, the Kaposvar PV power station project in Hungary, the Mozura wind park project in Montenegro, the Karot hydropower project and the first phase of the solar PV power project in the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park in Pakistan.

China is also the largest renewable energy market. The wide applicatio­n of renewable energy technologi­es in the Chinese market is helping reduce the cost of the green resource across the globe and accelerate the transition process to the new form of energy.

Rarely mentioned and insufficie­ntly acknowledg­ed in the West, China’s enormous investment in renewable energy such as solar power has significan­tly improved technology expertise and increased global supply. If it were not for China, especially the Chinese government’s ambitious and generous investment, the world would not have gained increasing­ly wider and inexpensiv­e access to renewable energy.

China has also been supporting capacity building to address climate change in developing countries. The nation is committed to deeper South-South climate cooperatio­n.

From 2016 to the end of 2020, China set up 10 low-carbon pilot industrial parks, launched 100 mitigation and adaptation programs, and provided 1,000 training opportunit­ies on climate change cooperatio­n in developing countries to help them develop clean and lowcarbon energy and jointly address global climate change.

The response to climate change has set off a new round of industrial revolution, and grabbing the opportunit­y to transform to green industry is to catch the competitiv­eness of the future.

Under the principle of common, but differenti­ated responsibi­lities and respective capabiliti­es, China is making every effort to meet the goals of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, a mission that requires extremely hard work and a promise that must be kept. Enditem.

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 ?? Photo: Xinhua ?? Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly via video, in Beijing, capital of China, September 21, 2021.
Photo: Xinhua Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly via video, in Beijing, capital of China, September 21, 2021.
 ?? Province. Photo: Xinhua ?? Aerial photo taken on November 5, 2020 shows photovolta­ic solar panels in Sheyanghu Township of Baoying County, east China’s Jiangsu
Province. Photo: Xinhua Aerial photo taken on November 5, 2020 shows photovolta­ic solar panels in Sheyanghu Township of Baoying County, east China’s Jiangsu

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