At the end of March 2025, China’s installed capacity of wind and photovoltaic (PV) power reached 1.482 billion kilowatts, officially surpassing thermal power for the first time in history. This extraordinary achievement not only marks a major milestone in China’s green and low-carbon transition but also sends a powerful message to the world: China’s commitment to sustainable development is unshakable, deeply rooted in a long-term vision for the future of humanity and the well-being of its people.

This breakthrough echoes earlier pivotal moments, such as the end of 2023 when China’s total installed capacity of non-fossil fuel power generation exceeded that of thermal power for the first time. By the end of 2024, the installed renewable energy capacity – encompassing wind, solar, and biomass – also surpassed coal-fired power installations. These continuous leaps forward demonstrate China’s unwavering determination, systematic planning, and a profound sense of responsibility as a major global power.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), this latest development signifies that China’s power sector is undergoing a profound “structural change,” bringing the sector’s carbon emissions tantalizingly close to peaking. Over the past decade, China’s energy transition has accelerated rapidly, moving at a pace unmatched anywhere else. AFP reported that China met its 2030 target of installing 1,200 GW of wind and solar capacity six years ahead of schedule. In 2024 alone, China added a record-breaking 357 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity – ten times the additions made by the United States.

Meanwhile, the international perception of China’s green development has shifted dramatically. At the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, European media highlighted that consumers are no longer concerned about the battery life of electric vehicles; attention has instead shifted to the timeline for the realization of fully autonomous driving. This indicates a broader shift in external expectations: no longer asking if China can achieve its green goals, but rather when they will materialize.

China’s green development is characterized by openness and inclusivity. It actively integrates into the global innovation chain and seeks to align with the diverse needs of countries around the world. China’s “green dream” is not just a domestic endeavor but carries a global vision – a desire to contribute to the pursuit of a better life for people everywhere.

In Africa, China has launched more than 100 projects related to clean energy and green development. Notable examples include the Garissa Solar Power Plant in Kenya and the De Aar Wind Power Project in South Africa. These initiatives have brought tangible benefits to local communities. As locals in Kenya put it, “It’s the Chinese friends who have brought light and hope to our land.” In several small island developing states, Chinese-assisted solar power systems have, for the first time, brought electric light to remote mountain villages, transforming lives and opportunities.

On the international stage, China has been an active participant in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the G20. It has also promoted green investments through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), offering “Chinese solutions” to global environmental challenges. According to Australia’s Lowy Institute, partnering with China provides access to world-leading technology, scale, and supply chain efficiency – an opportunity Australia and other nations would be wise to seize.

China’s transformation – from being “overly reliant on coal” to “leading with wind and solar” – highlights the effectiveness of strategic foresight and systemic innovation. In contrast to some countries that find themselves trapped between environmental protection and economic growth or paralyzed by the interests of powerful lobbying groups, China has demonstrated a different path. By adhering to the principle that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” China has successfully merged environmental stewardship with economic modernization, proving that green development is not an elitist ideal but a practical, inclusive process benefitting all.

The current global landscape of climate governance is fraught with challenges. Developed nations have repeatedly failed to meet their emission reduction commitments. Developing nations, constrained by technological and financial limitations, struggle with their energy transitions. Meanwhile, some major powers indulge in unilateralism and protectionism, frequently withdrawing from international agreements and thus undermining collective efforts against climate change.

Against this complex backdrop, China’s steady and determined actions have stood out. Time and again, China has delivered “good news” to the world, whether through new milestones in green energy or ambitious climate pledges. UN Secretary General António Guterres recently praised China’s latest climate commitments as “extremely significant,” acknowledging the critical role China plays in global climate action.

Importantly, China emphasizes that its climate actions are not driven by external pressure but by its internal needs for sustainable development and its broader responsibility to humanity. The consistency and stability of China’s policies, combined with a tenacious spirit likened to a bamboo firmly rooted among rocks, are the driving forces behind the country’s extraordinary growth in new energy sectors.

This consistency is reflected in China’s ability to “concentrate on running its own affairs well.” By focusing on building resilient industrial chains, expanding installed capacity, and boosting green investment, China has built an unshakable foundation for long-term success. This is the source of China’s confidence in “coping with shifting events by sticking to a fundamental principle.”

In his speech at the Leaders Meeting on Climate and the Just Transition, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed that, no matter how the world changes, “China will not slow down its climate actions, will not reduce its support for international cooperation, and will not cease its efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.” For a world standing at a crossroads in the energy revolution and climate governance, investing in China means investing in the future of technological innovation, tapping into the enormous potential of the green economy, and joining the global journey towards sustainable development.

China’s message to the world is clear: it welcomes all countries and enterprises to board the “fast train” of China’s green development. Together, they can write a new chapter of global green prosperity – one that is open, inclusive, pragmatic, and grounded in a shared commitment to protecting our planet for future generations.

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