China firm supporter of climate cooperation, to fulfill promises at steadfast pace: observers(3)

China pace

Lin Boqiang, director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that as China has made significant progress on green transition, a more vigorous clean-energy goal could be proposed at the COP28.

However, analysts stressed that the goal will have to be raised according to China's reality and capability, and reconcile the needs to develop and to cut carbon emission.

"China fulfilling responsibility of a major country should not be a handle for others to coerce us," Lin said.

Xia Yingxian, the above-quoted official, also said the COP28 should promote effective coordination between the needs of addressing climate change and poverty eradication, energy security, job creation and economic development, and pragmatically promote a just global transition to a green, low-carbon and climate-resilient society.

China has a complete new-energy industry chain and can provide affordable products for global markets, and some Western countries should not weaponize climate issue to contain China's fair play in the green energy industry, Lin said, citing discriminatory laws and technological blockage.

This will greatly push up the cost of global emission reduction and hollow out the foundation of an effective global response to climate change, analysts said.

Lin also refuted West's criticism on China's development of coal energy. As China is the world's second-largest economy, its option at present is not "clean or fossil" energy, but "greener energy or shortage," he elaborated.

China, through optimized use of fossil fuels and vigorous development of clean energy, believes in action rather than empty talk, Lin said.