SCIO press conference on 'Responding to Climate Change: China's Policies and Actions' white paper
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E-mail China.org.cn, November 2, 2021
Ye Min:
Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good afternoon. Welcome to the press conference on the white paper "Responding to Climate Change: China's Policies and Actions." First of all, I would like to thank you, friends from the media, for your long-term care and support for China's efforts to respond to climate change.
Climate change is a stern challenge for all of humanity, and calls for joint responses from countries around the world. The sustainable development of the Chinese nation and the future of the planet depend on tackling it successfully. As an active promoter and a firm practitioner of climate action, China attaches great importance to its response to climate change. China's response to climate change is an important part of its pursuit of eco-environmental progress, and a sure way to change the development model and achieve sustainable development.
Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, we have achieved notable progress in implementing a national strategy of actively responding to climate change over the past years. Based on a comprehensive review of China's responses to climate change, we organized the compilation of this white paper. This is the second time that China has issued a white paper on its response to climate change at the national level after the first publication in 2011. The main text of the new white paper includes "China's New Responses to Climate Change," "Implementing a National Strategy of Actively Responding to Climate Change," "Significant Changes in China's Response to Climate Change" and "Building a Fair and Rational Global Climate Governance System for Win-Win Results." The document elaborates on China's philosophy, policies and actions concerning its response to climate change since the 18th CPC National Congress, especially during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020). It showcases the country's progress and achievements in addressing the challenges, and its contribution to global climate action. The white paper also offers a systematic picture of China's proposals and approaches to climate change.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has advanced its climate action and achieved progress in the following ways: carbon intensity has been significantly decreased; energy mix and industrial structure have been steadily optimized; institutional mechanisms for low-carbon development have improved; solid steps have been taken in building a national carbon market; a number of low-carbon models of development with distinctive features have emerged; the ability to adapt to climate change has been reinforced; and public awareness of pursuing green, low-carbon lifestyles has considerably increased.
At the same time, the Chinese government actively and constructively participates in global climate governance. The Chinese government adheres to the principles of multilateralism, as well as common but differentiated responsibilities, attaches great importance to international cooperation on climate change and joins international negotiations on climate change, carries out in-depth South-South cooperation on climate change, promotes the conclusion and accelerated implementation of the Paris Agreement, and leads the new pattern of global climate governance with Chinese ideas and practices, and has gradually become an important participant, contributor and leader in building a global ecological civilization.
In 2020, President Xi Jinping made a major announcement regarding carbon peak and carbon neutrality, demonstrating China's determination to pursue green and low-carbon development and join hands with the international community to tackle climate change. This is a significant strategic decision made after careful consideration by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, coordinating the domestic and international situations. In the next step, we will resolutely implement the decisions and arrangements, while continuing to advance climate change initiatives.
The 26th United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP26) will be held in Glasgow, UK. This conference will finalize negotiations on the remaining issues of the implementation rules of the Paris Agreement. Meanwhile, China has embarked on a new journey of building a modern socialist country, entering a critical period of comprehensive green transformation for economic and social development and shifting from quantitative change to qualitative change in ecological environment. At this moment, it is significant that we release the white paper, "Responding to Climate Change: China's Policies and Actions," to enhance domestic and international understanding of China's climate action, and share Chinese wisdom and solutions.
Responding to climate change is a cause shared by all of mankind. China will continue to implement its proactive national strategies on climate change, incorporate carbon peak and carbon neutrality into the overall layout of constructing an ecological civilization, and make every effort to respond to climate change under the new situation. China is also willing to work with the international community to promote the comprehensive, balanced and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, jointly build a fair, reasonable, cooperative and win-win global climate governance system, and start a new journey in the global response to climate change.
Next, my colleagues and I are willing to answer questions from media friends. Thank you all!
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