However the world may change, China will not slow down its climate actions, will not reduce its support for international cooperation, and will not cease its efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.
Xi made the remarks while delivering a speech via video link at the leaders meeting on climate and just transition.
Xi pointed out that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
As the world is faced with accelerating changes unseen in a century, human society is standing at a crossroads. Xi said that despite the fact that individual countries are keen on unilateralism and protectionism – which has caused a serious impact on international rules and the international order – history will always move forward with twists and turns.
“As long as we have firm confidence and strengthen solidarity and cooperation, we will certainly be able to combat countercurrents and secure steady and sustained progress in the cause of global climate governance and development,” said Xi.
Xi urged efforts to safeguard multilateralism, calling for firmly upholding the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law and international justice.
It is necessary to uphold the spirit of the rule of law, honor our commitments, anchor green and low-carbon development, and jointly address the climate crisis through multilateral governance, he noted.
The Chinese president called for deepening international cooperation, stressing that China will vigorously deepen South-South cooperation and continue to provide assistance to other developing countries to the best of its ability.
A just transition should be promoted, according to Xi. He called on countries to put people at the center so as to synergistically promote the improvement of people’s well-being and climate governance, and integrate the multiple objectives of protecting the environment, developing the economy, creating employment, and eradicating poverty.
Developed countries have the obligation to provide assistance and support to developing countries to facilitate the global green and low-carbon transition and enhance the common and long-term well-being of all peoples, he stressed.
Xi also said practical actions should be strengthened, adding that all parties should do their utmost to formulate and implement nationally owned action plans based on integrated economic development and energy transformation.
China will announce its 2035 nationally determined contributions (NDCs) covering all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belem, Brazil, Xi vowed.
Xi emphasized that promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature is a distinctive feature of Chinese modernization.
Noting that China is a firm campaigner and important contributor to the world’s green development, Xi said China has built the world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system, established the world’s largest and most complete new energy industry chain, and contributed a quarter of the world’s total new green area since he announced the dual carbon goals five years ago.
China is ready to work with all parties to effectively fulfill their common but differentiated responsibilities to promote the building of a clean, beautiful, and sustainable world, he added.
