At a recent interview with CGTN's Guan Xin, Albert Park, chief economist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), highlighted how green energy and artificial intelligence (AI) have become new quality productive forces fueling the Chinese mainland's economic growth.
Park highlighted that the Chinese mainland has succeeded in nurturing new productive forces as renewable energy projects and AI-driven industries reshape manufacturing, finance, and services from coastal metropolises to inland hubs. This twin focus is not only decarbonizing energy supply but also accelerating innovation across sectors.
Data from the ADB shows that investments in solar and wind capacity on the Chinese mainland rose by over 15 percent last year, while funding for AI startups surged by 20 percent. Together, these investments are creating a multiplier effect: cheaper green power drives down costs for energy-intensive industries, and AI applications boost efficiency in areas ranging from logistics to smart grids.
Young entrepreneurs and tech professionals are at the forefront of this transition. Shenzhen-based startup EcoBrain launched an AI platform that predicts renewable output with 95 percent accuracy, trimming energy waste by a tenth. In Chengdu, clean-energy firms are pairing AI with battery storage to stabilize grids and unlock new markets.
In the countryside, the innovations are reaching rural communities too. Hybrid solar-wind farms in Inner Mongolia now feature AI monitoring systems that have raised local incomes by 25 percent, according to regional reports. Park noted that this blend of environmental goals and social impact reflects a sustainable growth model.
As the Chinese mainland continues its post-pandemic recovery, the synergy between green energy and AI offers a blueprint for resilient, low-carbon economies worldwide. Park observed that this approach allows emerging markets to leapfrog traditional development stages and emerge as leaders in cutting-edge sectors.
Reference(s):
New energy and AI becoming driving forces of China's economy
cgtn.com
