Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the United Nations (UN) climate change conference in Paris, France, Nov. 30, 2015. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a significant speech at the opening ceremony of the United Nations (UN) climate change conference in Paris, France, on November 20, 2015. “President Xi’s speech shows China’s active attitude to coping with climate changes as well as the willingness to assume its responsibility,” said Professor He Jiankun, deputy director of National Expert Committee on Climate Change and the director of Low Carbon Economy Lab of Tsinghua University, who has attended the climate change conference eight times, in an interview with Guangming Daily.

Embodying the concept of “human community of common destiny”

Professor He said that on one hand, as the largest developing country, China actively sets goals of carbon emission reductions and participates in global climate governance, demonstrating China’s willingnessto assume its responsibility; on the other hand, China needs to reflect developing countries’ interests in climate change negotiation so as to make the institutional system for coping with climate change more comprehensive and balanced to let various voices be heard, demonstrating the idea of “human community of common destiny”.

Eric Heitz, President of The Energy Foundation, said that Chinese leaders take pragmatic measures instead of all talk about environmental protection with strong leadership. This climate change conference in Paris is of great significance for China and even global environment. China has played the most important role in global clean energy investment as the world’s No. 1 in the field.

China can build a bridge between developing countries and developed countries through its efforts, including establishing nationwide carbon market, making full use of renewable energy sources and clean energies and improving energy efficiency. Chinese government makes a commitment that it provides 3.1 billion US dollars to help developing countries cope with climate change, demonstrating that China is assuming its responsibility via practical actions. And The Energy Foundation will continue to support China to improve air quality in China and promote its economic development.

Showing the image of responsible major country

Representatives of other countries present at the conference pay high attention to President Xi’s speech. During an interview with Guangming Daily, Matthew, special spokesman of French President on climate change said that China has made great efforts to cope with climate change as a major source of carbon emission. China has a great potential and capacity in fields like carbon emission reduction and the development of new energy industry.

“President Xi’s speech is very pragmatic and shows the image of responsible major country,” said Huang Haoming, secretary general of China Association for NGO Cooperation, who has attended the climate change conference six times. It is significant and pragmatic to pool strength across the world, encourage countries’ extensive participation and consider different capacity and economic structures of different countries. Developed countries should assume more responsibilities in technology transfer and capital support, while developing countries are facing not only environmental and technological problems but also social problems like poverty alleviation.

Expounding profound connotation of the “five conceptions”

“The ‘five conceptions’ of ‘innovation, coordination, green, opening-up and sharing’ which were stressed by President Xi in his speech are of great significance for coping with climate change,” said Professor He Jiankun. It will bring new economic growth point and employment opportunities through green, low-carbon development. It will also realize win-win results of development and carbon emission reduction to cope with climate change.

Chao Qingchen, deputy director of National Climate Center, said that what China is doing and will do demonstrates its strong determination to take the path of green and low-carbon development and the wish of promoting global sustainable development.

Jean Michelle, former economic columnist of Le Monde, said that it is a significant issue for China to adjust industrial structure, optimize allocation of resources, develop and use new energy when it enters an economic “new normal”. From what Chinese leaders said and how Chinese government acted, we have the confidence that China has the capacity and impetus to reform and will succeed.