China and Germany have embarked on a new chapter in their environmental cooperation with a high-level dialogue held in Beijing on Saturday. This marks the first meeting since the two nations established a climate change and green transition mechanism a year ago.
Leading the discussions were Zheng Shanjie, chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck. The dialogue focused on enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, aligning with China’s commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030.
China is rapidly advancing its renewable energy sector, driving innovations in electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage solutions, and other cutting-edge technologies. However, concerns have been raised about potential overcapacity in China’s green industries, particularly accusations of exporting subsidized EVs to European markets.
Addressing these claims, Zheng stated that such narratives contradict market dynamics and economic logic. \"China to take all measures to safeguard interests of Chinese enterprises\", he emphasized, highlighting that protectionist measures hinder the global fight against climate change.
Vice Chancellor Habeck echoed these sentiments, highlighting the negative impact of protectionism on the global economy and the collective response to environmental challenges.
The dialogue also led to significant achievements, including the launch of green transition cooperation initiatives between Chinese provinces and German federal states. Experts like Yuan Shenglong from the NDRC’s Institute for International Economic Research criticized the European Commission’s proposal to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs as \"trade protection measures\" that undermine free trade and global green transformation.
Overall, the high-level dialogue between China and Germany aims to expand common ground and foster mutual trust, setting the stage for long-term green cooperation that benefits not only the two nations but also the global community.
Reference(s):
China, Germany hold dialogue on climate change and green transition
cgtn.com
