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E-mail China.org.cn, December 2, 2024
Shou Xiaoli:
One last question, please.
Phoenix TV:
Environmental protection has become a crucial issue in global governance and a key area for international competition and cooperation. China has also transformed significantly from a participant in global environmental governance to a leader. Could you briefly introduce these changes and explain how China plans to contribute more of its wisdom and solutions to global ecological civilization development in the next stage? Thank you.
Huang Runqiu:
Thank you for your question. The topic you brought up is one that I have deep feelings and insights about, and I'll provide a brief response.
I still vividly remember the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Montreal, Canada, in 2022, where China held the presidency, and I chaired the conference. At the closing ceremony, as I struck the gavel to announce the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework — a landmark global agreement reached after nearly a decade of arduous negotiations to protect the planet's biodiversity — the hall, packed with thousands, erupted in thunderous applause. Participants cheered, embraced one another, and expressed their respect and congratulations for China's contributions as the presiding nation. At that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. This marked the first time China, holding the presidency, had successfully steered negotiations for a major international environmental treaty. I also deeply realized that this achievement was the result of President Xi Jinping's personal attention and high-level promotion of the process. President Xi Jinping delivered two video addresses during the conference, which played a crucial role in advancing the negotiations and securing the adoption of the framework, demonstrating China's sense of responsibility and leadership as a major global power.
The same applies to the field of climate change. In 2015, it was also under the direct promotion of President Xi Jinping that the Paris Agreement on climate change was reached. Since then, at subsequent climate conferences focused on implementing the Paris Agreement, China has acted as a stabilizer, promoter, and leader in concrete actions. We've strived to build consensus among all parties and advocate for a fair, reasonable, cooperative and mutually beneficial global governance system for climate change. These efforts have been fully recognized and widely praised by the international community.
Over the years, President Xi Jinping has successively put forward the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). These major initiatives all incorporate environmental and climate governance as key components, propelling efforts to build a community for all life on Earth. We have made a solemn commitment to the world: we will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Additionally, we've pledged to stop building new coal power projects overseas and to assist developing countries and small island states in developing renewable energy and enhancing their capacity to address climate change. We've signed climate change cooperation and assistance agreements with more than 40 countries, launched the Africa Solar Belt Program, and provided 60% of the world's wind power equipment and 70% of its photovoltaic module equipment. Over the past decade, China's significant technological advancements and large-scale deployment of renewable energy have helped reduce global wind power and photovoltaic generation costs by more than 60% and 80%, respectively. This has made a tremendous contribution to global carbon reduction and green transformation — an internationally recognized achievement.
Since the new era began, Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization has gained international recognition. A series of core concepts, such as "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," green development prioritizing eco-environmental conservation, harmony between humanity and nature, and building a community for all life on Earth, have been widely promoted globally. These ideas have become advanced concepts guiding global environmental governance, contributing China's wisdom and solutions to global sustainable development. Consequently, China has significantly shifted from participating in global environmental governance to becoming a leader.
Looking to the future, we will uphold the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, continue to deepen international cooperation in ecological and environmental protection, and actively participate in and lead global environmental and climate governance. Together, we will protect our shared home on Earth and make greater contributions to building a clean and beautiful world.
Thank you to all the journalists.
Shou Xiaoli:
Thank you, Mr. Huang, thank you to all the speakers and thank you to all the journalists for your participation. This concludes today's press conference. Goodbye!
Translated and edited by Wang Yiming, Wang Qian, Zhu Bochen, Yuan Fang, Wang Ziteng, Ma Yujia, Mi Xingang, Zhang Rui, Chen Xinyan, Wang Wei, Lin Liyao, Wang Xingguang, Li Huiru, Liu Caiyi, David Ball, Rochelle Beiersdorfer, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.
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