China’s Climate Envoy Warns Against U.S. and EU Attempts to Curb Green Technology Dominance
In a recent development, China’s special envoy for climate change, Liu Zhenmin, has raised concerns about the U.S. and Europe’s attempts to curb China’s dominance in green technologies. Zhenmin, appointed by President Xi Jinping to represent China on climate issues, cautioned that these strategies could hinder the global fight against climate change.
According to a report by Bloomberg, Zhenmin emphasized the importance of maintaining low costs for the energy transition. He warned that if the U.S. and the EU continue to insist on their approach, it could result in a delay in the substitution of fossil fuels by renewables globally. Zhenmin also highlighted the significant cost reductions in clean energy equipment, batteries, and electric vehicles due to the boom among Chinese companies.
Despite these concerns, Zhenmin remains optimistic about China’s ability to meet its climate targets and sees potential for collaboration between the U.S. and China to lead global action. This warning from China’s climate envoy comes at a time when the U.S. and the EU are intensifying efforts to reduce China’s dominance in the green technology sector.
The EU’s recent probes into clean energy and electric vehicles, as well as warnings issued by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about China’s overcapacity and record exports of cheap solar equipment and lithium-ion batteries, reflect the growing competition in the green technology market.
China’s stance on climate change and its efforts to transition to clean energy are closely linked to its international relations. President Xi’s recent European tour aimed to strengthen economic ties with the EU amid growing tensions with the U.S. This warning from Zhenmin also follows Xi’s assurance of a brighter future for Sino-American relations, despite ongoing challenges.
As the global community works towards a sustainable future, it is essential for countries to collaborate and support each other in the transition to clean energy. The concerns raised by Zhenmin highlight the need for a coordinated effort to address climate change and ensure a smooth transition to renewable energy sources.