Wang-Sullivan Meeting - China-Japan Ties - Wang Huning's Tibet Visit - National Defense Education Month Activities - White Paper on Energy Transition - Song Tao Meets KMT's Andrew Hsia
Hi folks,
Before we get to today’s session, let me invite you all to join this guest talk on “Sanctions as Economic Statecraft” on our platform Open Takshashila at 19:00 IST/ 14:30 CET/ 09:30 EDT/ today. RSVP here.
Also, for folks interested in recent changes among PLA commanders, do check out my colleague Anushka Saxena’s piece in The Hindu newspaper yesterday.
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
Page 1: Let’s begin with a report on Zhao Leji’s meeting with Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union in Beijing. Xinhua says:
Zhao “said that the four political documents between China and Japan are the political and legal basis for their bilateral ties. He emphasized that peace, friendship and cooperation are the only correct choices for the two countries. He said China is willing to work with Japan to continuously enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, properly handle differences and advance the bilateral relations along the right track of sound and steady development. The economic interests and industrial chains of China and Japan are deeply intertwined, and both sides have the conditions to, and should, strengthen cooperation and contribute to each other’s success, Zhao said, adding the NPC of China is willing to carry out various forms of exchanges and cooperation with both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors of Japan. Japanese friends from all walks of life, including Japanese parliamentarians, are welcome to visit China and learn about a true, multi-dimensional and panoramic China…”
Wang Yi also met with the delegation led by Toshihiro Nikai. Xinhua’s report on that says:
Wang “said that China and Japan are neighbors separated by a narrow strip of water. He noted that adhering to a general path of peaceful coexistence, lasting friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and is the only correct choice. He said that the leaders of the two countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the comprehensive promotion of the strategic, mutually beneficial relationship, and agreed to build stable, constructive China-Japan relations that meet the requirements of the new era, providing strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations. Noting that China-Japan relations are currently at a critical stage, Wang expressed China’s hope that Japan will establish a correct, objective understanding of China, pursue a positive, rational policy on China, and put plans for the comprehensive promotion of strategic, mutually beneficial relations into practice. China is ready to work with Japan to use history as a guide and promote the sustained, sound and steady development of China-Japan relations on the right track, Wang said.”
Next, there’s a report on the fourth work conference on paired-up assistance for Tibet, which was held in Lhasa on Tuesday. Wang Huning was in Tibet for this meeting. He visited Lhasa and Shannan and met the Pagbalha Geleg Namgyai.
Wang called on everyone to “take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guide, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, fully and accurately implement the new development concept, adhere to the main line of building a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and the Party’s Tibet governance strategy in the new era, focus on the four major issues of stability, development, ecology and strengthening the border, and do a good job in paired-up assistance for Tibet in the new era with a deep sense of responsibility and mission, and help build a socialist modern new Tibet.” 他表示，要以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深入贯彻落实党的二十大和二十届三中全会精神，完整准确全面贯彻新发展理念，坚持铸牢中华民族共同体意识主线和新时代党的治藏方略，聚焦稳定、发展、生态、强边四件大事，以高度责任感使命感做好新时代对口援藏工作，助力建设社会主义现代化新西藏.
He added that since the 18th Party Congress, the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has planned and promoted paired-up assistance for Tibet with greater efforts and more practical measures, creating a new situation for it. He praised “relevant provinces and cities, central and state organs, central enterprises and cadres and talents” for having made “outstanding contributions to the comprehensive implementation of paired-up assistance for Tibet and the promotion of long-term stability and high-quality development in Tibet.” He added that paired-up assistance for Tibet is a “major strategic decision made by the Party Central Committee”. 王沪宁表示，对口援藏工作开展30年来取得显著成就，积累了宝贵经验。特别是党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央以更大力度、更实举措谋划和推进对口支援西藏工作，开创了对口援藏工作新局面。承担对口支援任务的有关省市、中央和国家机关部门、中央企业和广大援藏干部人才，为全面开展对口援藏工作、推动西藏长治久安和高质量发展作出了突出贡献。王沪宁表示，对口支援西藏是党中央作出的重大战略决策，要坚持精准援藏、系统援藏、长期援藏，全面提升对口援藏综合效益.
Then he added:
It is necessary to firmly grasp the main thread of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, grasp the fundamental position of taking the people as the centre, grasp the primary task of high-quality development, grasp the national security barrier of the Tibetan border area, promote exchanges and integration among all ethnic groups, improve people’s livelihoods, rally people’s support, develop characteristic and advantageous industries and enrich the border areas and the people living there, and strengthen the sense of identity with the motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the Communist Party, and socialism with Chinese characteristics among officials and people of all ethnic groups. 要牢牢把握铸牢中华民族共同体意识这一主线，把握以人民为中心这一根本立场，把握高质量发展这一首要任务，把握西藏边境地区这一国家安全屏障，推动各民族交往交流交融、改善民生凝聚人心、特色优势产业发展、兴边富民等工作走深走实，坚定各族干部群众对伟大祖国、中华民族、中华文化、中国共产党、中国特色社会主义的认同.
Wang also called to “strengthen the organization and leadership of the paired-up assistance work”.
Page 2: There’s a report on the 2024 China Internet Civilization Conference being held in Chengdu. Li Shulei was in attendance.
Attendees believed that advancing cyberspace civility is vital for adapting to the new trends of rapidly developing information technology. It is also an essential part of building a strong socialist culture and a strong cyber country.
As per the report:
“The guests at the conference said that we should adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on building a strong cyber power, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, and solidly promote all aspects of the construction of cyber civilization in the new era, further promote positive energy in cyberspace, and gather the tremendous power to devote ourselves to the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation. It is necessary to firmly grasp the correct direction of cyber civilization construction, continuously develop a positive and healthy cyber culture, strive to enhance the effectiveness of cyberspace governance, improve the working mechanism of Internet civilization construction, and promote the construction of Internet civilization in the new era to continuously create new situations.” 与会嘉宾表示，要坚持以习近平文化思想和习近平总书记关于网络强国的重要思想为指引，深入贯彻党的二十大和二十届二中、三中全会精神，扎实推进新时代网络文明建设各项工作，进一步在网络空间唱响主旋律、弘扬正能量，凝聚起投身强国建设、民族复兴伟业的磅礴力量。要牢牢把握网络文明建设的正确方向，不断发展积极健康的网络文化，着力增强网络空间治理效能，健全网络文明建设工作机制，推动新时代网络文明建设不断开创新局面.
Page 3: Let’s look at the readouts from China and the US on the Wang Yi-Jake Sullivan meeting. The Chinese readout (English text) says that the talks on Tuesday to Wednesday were “candid, substantive and constructive.”
Wang said that “China-U.S. relations have experienced ups and downs, and that reviewing this experience and its lessons will help forge a better future and find the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other.
First, in order to keep China-U.S. relations on the right direction, it is crucial that the two countries’ presidents steer and guide bilateral relations. The two sides should uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.
Second, abiding by the three joint communiques is key for China and the United States to avoid conflict and confrontation. The political foundation that led to the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries must be maintained. China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, its political system and development path, and the legitimate development rights of the Chinese people must be respected.
Third, treating each other as equals is key to ensuring China-U.S. interactions are smooth. Acting from the position of strength is not the right way of interaction between countries.
Fourth, cementing the foundations of public opinion is key to pursuing the steady, sustained development of China-U.S. relations. The two countries should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people exchange, rather than raising obstacles.
Fifth, establishing correct perception is key for China and the United States to achieve peaceful coexistence. China is committed to ensuring better lives for its people at home, and to making greater contributions to world peace and development abroad. The United States should not speculate about China based on its own historical path, nor should it assume that China will follow the path taken by past world powers that sought hegemony.”
As per the readout, Wang briefed Sullivan on the Third Plenum.
“Wang stressed that Taiwan belongs to China and that China will be reunified. He noted that ‘Taiwan independence’ poses the biggest risk to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The United States should act on its commitment of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence’, adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, cease arming Taiwan, and support the peaceful reunification of China, he said. Wang noted that national security should be common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable, and that one country’s security should not be built upon the insecurity of others. National security requires clear boundaries, particularly in the economic domain, where scientific delineation is crucial, he said. Wang urged the United States to end its suppression of China in the economic, trade and sci-tech fields, and refrain from undermining China’s legitimate interests. Using ‘overcapacity’ as an excuse to pursue protectionism will only harm global green development and impede world economic growth, he added. China is firm in upholding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over the Nanhai Zhudao (South China Sea islands), as well as the gravity and effectiveness of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Wang noted. He said that the U.S. must not undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity under the pretext of bilateral treaties, nor should it support or condone the Philippines’ acts of infringement.”
As per the Chinese side, this is what Sullivan said:
“Sullivan said that differences and competition exist between the United States and China, and that there are also many areas in which the two sides need to cooperate. He noted that the United States agrees that the two countries should treat each other as equals and that competition should be healthy and fair, and said the U.S. side has no intention of decoupling from China. He said that the United States adheres to the one-China policy and does not support ‘Taiwan independence,’ ‘two Chinas’ or ‘one China, one Taiwan.’ The United States and China will coexist peacefully on this planet for a long time, and the goal of U.S. policy is to find a way to make the U.S.-China relationship sustainable, Sullivan said, adding that the U.S. side is willing to continue maintaining strategic communication with China to enhance mutual understanding and reduce misunderstanding and miscalculation.”
They discussed issues related to Ukraine, the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula. In terms of outcomes,
They discussed a new round of interactions between the two countries’ heads of state to take place in the near future.
They agreed to continue carrying out cooperation on drug control, law enforcement, the repatriation of illegal immigrants and climate change mitigation.
They agreed on institutional arrangements for a video call between theater leaders of the two militaries.
They agreed to a second round China-U.S. intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence to be held at an appropriate time.
The US readout says:
“The two sides held candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. They discussed progress and next steps on implementation of the Woodside Summit commitments, including counternarcotics, military-to-military communications, and AI safety and risk. Both sides welcomed ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication, including planning for a leader-level call in the coming weeks. They noted the importance of regular, ongoing military-to-military communications and planned to hold a theater commander telephone call in the near future. Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang discussed next steps to reduce the flow of illicit synthetic drugs, continue repatriation of undocumented migrants, and law enforcement cooperation. They underscored the importance of concrete steps to tackle the climate crisis and welcomed further discussions during Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta’s upcoming travel to China.”
Mr. Sullivan emphasized that the United States will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our national security, without unduly limiting trade or investment. He also raised continued concerns about the PRC’s unfair trade policies and non-market economic practices. Mr. Sullivan reiterated that it remains a top priority to resolve the cases of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China. He also underscored the long-standing U.S. commitment to universal human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
“Mr. Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He emphasized concerns about the PRC’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base and its impact on European and transatlantic security. Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies and expressed concern about the PRC’s destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea. The two sides also discussed shared concerns about the DPRK, Burma, and the Middle East.”
While on this, do check out this report with comments Admiral Samuel Paparo, who heads the US Indo-Pacific Command. He contended that the US military is open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the South China Sea. The report says:
“Asked if the US military would consider escorting Philippine ships delivering food and other supplies to Filipino forces in the South China Sea, Paparo replied: ‘Certainly, within the context of consultations.’ ‘Every option between the two sovereign nations in terms of our mutual defense, escort of one vessel to the other, is an entirely reasonable option within our Mutual Defense Treaty, among this close alliance between the two of us,’ Paparo said without elaborating.”
Philippine Armed Forces chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. was much more cautious in his response because the suggestion could run afoul of Philippine laws including a constitutional ban on foreign forces directly joining local combat operations, as per the report.
“The attitude of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as dictated by the Philippine laws, is for us to first rely on ourselves,” Brawner said. “We are going to try all options, all avenues that are available to us in order for us to achieve the mission ... in this case, the resupply and rotation of our troops.”
Page 4: There’s a report on the notice issued by the Propaganda Department and 12 other departments on activities to be carried out related to the National Defense Education Month.
“The Notice emphasises that we must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, deeply understand the decisive significance of Two Establishments, enhance the four consciousnesses and four self-confidences, and achieve the Two Safeguards, implement the overall national security concept, cultivate and practise the core socialist values, and carry out mass national defense education activities with rich content, diverse forms and distinctive characteristics across the whole society with the theme of ‘Carrying Out National Defense Education in accordance with the Law and Enhancing National Defense Literacy for All’, educate and guide cadres and the masses to strengthen their concept of national defense and crisis awareness, enhance the ideological and behavioural consciousness of caring about national defence, loving national defence, building national defence, and defending national defence, and gather strong forces for comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.” 《通知》强调，要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，全面贯彻党的二十大和二十届二中、三中全会精神，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，贯彻总体国家安全观，培育和践行社会主义核心价值观，以“依法开展国防教育 提升全民国防素养”为主题，在全社会广泛开展内容丰富、形式多样、特色鲜明的群众性国防教育活动，教育引导广大干部群众强化国防观念和忧患意识，增强关心国防、热爱国防、建设国防、保卫国防的思想自觉和行动自觉，为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业凝聚强大力量.
The notice talks about 7 types of activities:
First, conduct activities related to awareness of the National Defense Education Law. With the aim to deepen the study, propaganda and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, efforts should be made to enhance the propaganda related to national defense education law through the publication of reports and commentaries, issuing promotional and explanatory articles, producing special programs, and conducting grassroots propaganda. 一是开展国防教育法普法宣传活动。着眼把学习宣传贯彻习近平强军思想引向深入，通过组织刊发报道评论、刊发宣传阐释文章、制作专题节目、开展基层宣讲等形式，做好国防教育法律宣传.
Second, carry out commemorative activities. Make full use of important anniversaries, such as the Victory Day of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression on September 3, the September 18 Incident Day, Martyrs’ Day on September 30, and National Defense Education Day, and organize solemn and ritualistic public memorial ceremonies and bell-ringing ceremonies. 二是开展缅怀纪念活动。充分利用9月3日中国人民抗日战争胜利纪念日、9月18日“九一八”事变发生日、9月30日烈士纪念日和全民国防教育日等重要时间节点，组织举办庄严感、仪式感强的公祭仪式和撞钟鸣警仪式.
Third, carry out national defence education activities for young people. Produce and broadcast a special program on ‘National Defense Open Course’, encourage the military and schools of all levels to work together, carry out thematic group activities like ‘Youth Ablaze, National Defense Involves Me’ and central enterprises ‘National Defense Campus Tour’ activities. During the autumn semester and the enrollment of new students, carefully organise military training for college and high school students to guide young people to enhance their national defence awareness and improve their national defence literacy. 三是开展青少年国防教育活动。制作播出“国防公开课”专题节目，鼓励部队和大中小学校结对共建，开展“青春如火 国防有我”国防教育主题团日和中央企业“全民国防校园行”活动。在秋季开学、新生入学期间，精心组织大中学校学生军事训练，引导广大青少年增强国防意识、提升国防素养.
Fourth, carry out ‘Love Our National Defense’ educational practice activities. This entails activities like ‘Love Our National Defense’ speeches and themed work collections, ‘Veterans Shall Always Follow the Party’ propaganda practice, ‘Women's Hearts Towards the Party, Jointly Building the Strong Military Dream’ themed practice, and ‘National Defense Film Screenings’ public welfare film exhibitions in order to deeply embed national defence education across society. 四是开展“爱我国防”教育实践活动。 开展“爱我国防”演讲、主题作品征集、“老兵永远跟党走”宣讲实践、“巾帼心向党 共铸强军梦”主题实践、“国防万映”公益电影展映等活动，推动国防教育在全社会深入普及.
Fifth, carry out learning and propaganda activities related to advanced role models. Extensively carry out publicity and learning activities for advanced figures such as ‘Most Beautiful Revolutionary Soldiers of the New Era’, ‘Most Beautiful Veterans’, ‘Most Beautiful Supporters of the Military’ and Carry out a series of publicity activities related to ‘Caring for National Defense’. Organise and publicise a batch of typical cases of national defence education, summarise and promote advanced experiences and practices, and exert a demonstrative and leading effect. 五是开展先进典型学习宣传活动。广泛开展“最美新时代革命军人”“最美退役军人”“最美拥军人物”等先进人物学习宣传，开展“情系国防”系列宣传活动。组织宣传一批国防教育典型案例，总结推广先进经验做法，发挥示范引领效应.
Sixth, carry out military camp open days. Coordinate the opening of military camps in various places to the public according to regulations, organise Party and government cadres, young students, militia members, and reservists to visit military venues, experience military camp life, thereby fully demonstrating the spirit of the People’s Army. 六是开展军营开放活动。协调各地军营开放单位按规定向社会开放，组织党政机关干部、青少年学生、民兵、预备役人员等参观军事场馆、感受军营生活、开展军营体验，充分展示人民军队的精神风貌.
Seventh, carry out online publicity and education activities. Organise central and local key news websites, local national defence education websites, and the ‘Xuexi Qiangguo (学习强国)’ learning platform to set up special web pages, actively set topics and columns to better gather positive energy and boost morale. 七是开展网上宣传教育活动。组织中央和地方重点新闻网站、各地国防教育网站、“学习强国”学习平台开设专题网页，主动设置议题和专栏，更好汇聚正能量、振奋精气神.
Page 6: There is a report (English report) informing that Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, met with a delegation led by Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, in Lushan, east China's Jiangxi Province.
“Song Tao said that General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait is the starting point and the end goal of our efforts to develop cross-strait relations. We will fully implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speeches and the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, continue to improve the systems and policies that promote cross-strait integration, and open up broader opportunities for Taiwanese compatriots to participate in the great endeavours of building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation. We are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the KMT on the common political basis of adhering to the ‘1992 Consensus’ and opposing ‘Taiwan independence’, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, oppose the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatism and external interference, promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, benefit compatriots on both sides of the strait, and promote the reunification of the motherland and national rejuvenation.” 宋涛表示，习近平总书记指出，为两岸同胞谋福祉是我们发展两岸关系的出发点和落脚点。我们将全面贯彻落实习近平总书记重要讲话和中共二十届三中全会精神，继续完善促进两岸融合发展的制度和政策，为广大台胞参与强国建设、民族复兴伟业开辟更广空间。愿同中国国民党在坚持“九二共识”、反对“台独”的共同政治基础上，加强交流合作，反对“台独”分裂和外来干涉，推动两岸关系和平发展，维护台海和平稳定，造福两岸同胞，推进祖国统一、民族复兴.
Hsia said that based on the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing ‘Taiwan independence’, the KMT is willing to safeguard peace and stability across the Strait, boost cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and promote the positive growth of cross-Strait relations.
Page 10: There’s a report informing that there are over 2 million enterprises in China that are part of the country’s new energy industry. Data shows that since the 14th Five-Year Plan, the number of enterprises related to the wind energy industry and the solar energy industry has grown rapidly, with an average growth rate of 21.6% and 21.7% from 2021 to 2023, respectively.
As of July 31, 2024, the number of enterprises related to energy-saving and environmental protection industries in China was close to 5 million, a year-on-year increase of 19.3%.
The Chinese government today issued a new White Paper, titled China’s Energy Transition. My colleague Rakshith Shetty, who has been researching China’s new energy policies, has provided me with a short summary of the key highlights from the document.
The paper documents China’s actions and achievements in transitioning to green and low-carbon energy over the past decade. It highlights that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, China’s energy sector has entered a stage of high-quality development guided by President Xi Jinping’s new energy security strategy.
Below are key data and takeaways from the white paper:
China’s investment in energy transition reached USD 676 billion in 2023
Clean energy consumption increased from 15.5% in 2013 to 26.4% in 2023, while coal consumption dropped by 12.1 percentage points
In 2023, clean energy accounted for 58.2% (1,700 GW) of the total installed power generation capacity (2,920 GW) and generated 39.7% (3,800 TWh) of the country's total electricity, up ~15 percentage points from 2013
Over the past decade, clean energy accounted for more than 50% of the increase in total electricity consumption
China invested over RMB100 billion from the central budget to upgrade rural power grids, enabling nationwide electricity access by 2015
By 2023, clean energy heating in northern China approached 80%, and charging facilities for new energy vehicles increased from less than 100,000 in 2013 to almost 8.6 million
Energy consumption per unit of GDP (energy intensity) decreased by more than 26% from 2013 to 2023
The number of coal-fired boilers and power plants decreased by more than 80% nationwide
China collaborated with over 100 countries and regions on green energy projects
In 2023, China's wind power and PV exports helped other countries reduce CO2 emissions by about 810 million tonnes
The second chapter focuses on China’s efforts to promote green energy consumption through energy conservation, efficiency improvements, and strengthening institutional constraints for carbon reduction. As part of its commitment to reducing energy intensity, China has introduced various energy-saving and carbon reduction technologies and industries. These initiatives have led to significant energy savings, equivalent to approximately 1.4 billion tonnes of standard coal, and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of about 3 billion tonnes. To further support these efforts, China has established a comprehensive framework of standards and regulations.
By the end of 2023, the country had released 335 national standards on energy consumption limits and product energy efficiency. Moreover, the energy conservation service industry has experienced rapid growth, with its total output value exceeding RMB 500 billion in 2023, a twofold increase compared to 2013. These developments demonstrate China's dedication to promoting sustainable energy consumption and reducing its carbon footprint.
The third chapter emphasises the importance of accelerating the development of non-fossil energy sources to pursue eco-environmental progress, promote green and low-carbon economic and social development, and achieve peak carbon and carbon neutrality goals.
By the end of 2023, China’s cumulative installed capacities of wind and PV power reached 441 GW and 609 GW respectively, an elevenfold increase over the past decade. Hydropower capacity stood at 370 GW, with ongoing construction of large hydropower bases and upgrades to existing stations. Nuclear power utilization expanded, with total installed capacity reaching 56,910 MW in operation and 100.33 GW under construction and in operation by 2023. Biomass energy plants reached an installed capacity of 44,140 MW, with the promotion of biomass for clean heating and biogas production.
Over the past decade, China decommissioned outdated coal-fired power facilities with a combined capacity of more than 100 GW. Remaining coal-fired power units underwent energy-saving and carbon-reducing transformations, increasing their flexible load regulation capabilities and upgrading heat supply capacity. By 2023, over 95% of coal-fired power units achieved ultra-low emissions, and more than 50% had deep peak-shaving capabilities, reducing pollutant discharge in the power industry by over 90%.
The fourth chapter highlights China’s efforts to implement an innovation-driven development strategy in the energy sector. China is improving top-level design and overall plans to establish innovation as a primary driver in energy technology. It adopts an open competition mechanism for selecting the best candidates to undertake key energy technology projects and a multi-team research mechanism for finding the best pathways and achieving optimal results. China is applying supercritical and ultra-supercritical power generation and deep peak-shaving technologies in the coal-fired power industry to raise its environmental and energy efficiency indicators to world-leading standards.
The fifth chapter explains the modernisation of energy governance in China. The country has focused on building a unified national market, removing barriers within the energy market, and facilitating smooth and efficient market operations. The monopoly held by power grid enterprises in the purchase and sale of electricity has been largely eliminated, and energy prices are now determined primarily through market forces. China has strengthened the coordination of fiscal, taxation, investment, financing, and other macroeconomic policies, reinforced market regulation, and improved its public services to ensure both efficiency and fairness in its energy transition. The chapter also highlights how China has established a comprehensive legal framework to support its energy transition, comprising the Energy Conservation Law, the Renewable Energy Law, and other relevant laws and regulations
Finally, the last chapter highlights China’s contributions to the global energy transition through its own advancements.
Since 2013, China has accounted for over 40% of annual global renewable energy capacity additions, with its newly installed capacity in 2023 surpassing half of the world’s total. From 2014 to 2023, the global share of non-fossil fuels in energy consumption increased from 13.6% to 18.5%, with China contributing 45.2% to this growth. Over the past decade, the average cost per kilowatt-hour of global wind and PV power projects decreased by more than 60% and 80% respectively, largely due to China's efforts. In 2021, China pledged to stop building new coal-fired power plants overseas and began focusing on green and low-carbon energy projects in its international cooperation. China now collaborates with over 100 countries and regions on green energy projects. The Belt and Road Energy Partnership includes 33 member countries, with six major regional energy cooperation platforms and regular meetings between energy ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states.