China's clean energy drive powers global sustainable development

Despite the scorching heat, indoor spaces at the Summer Davos Forum venue in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin stay cool as green electricity keeps the air conditioning running smoothly.

Two local renewable energy providers supply 800,000 kWh of green electricity -- ensuring 100 percent renewable power for the entire event held at the National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin). That's equivalent to replacing approximately 300 tonnes of standard coal consumption and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 600 tonnes, according to State Grid Corporation of China (State Grid).

In addition, solar panels on the venue's rooftop are also providing a steady supply of green electricity for the event.

Themed "Entrepreneurship for a New Era," the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, has been held from June 24 to 26 at the 1.38 million-square-meter National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin). The event has attracted over 1,700 leading figures from more than 90 countries and regions.

During the forum, clean energy -- particularly its rapid development in China and global influence -- has become a heated topic of discussion.

"We have already seen great results in China for its application of new technologies, for example, solar energy. China has been leading very much in the field of renewables," World Economic Forum President Borge Brende highlighted during the event.

China has been taking concrete steps toward its commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Over the years, the country has made remarkable progress in clean energy development, emerging as a global leader driving both domestic decarbonization and international sustainable development.

In 2024, 86 percent of newly installed power capacity in China came from renewable energy sources, while the share of cumulative installed renewable capacity rose to a record high of 56 percent of the national total, official data showed.

"China's robust industrial foundation is accelerating the growth of green industries, including renewable equipment manufacturing, green transportation, eco-friendly infrastructure, and low-carbon construction. On the path toward global decarbonization, China has become an indispensable force," said Yin Zheng, executive vice president of China and East Asia Operations at Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and industrial automation. The company has been a regular participant at Summer Davos.

"By leveraging China's industrial development momentum, Schneider Electric has been globalizing its green R&D achievements cultivated in China," Yin said, adding that the company is collaborating with Chinese partners to develop energy infrastructure projects in Belt and Road Initiative participating countries, facilitating local energy transitions and economic growth.

Schneider Electric plans to empower China's green industrial upgrade with more innovative technologies and solutions, extending the benefits of sustainable productivity worldwide, he noted.

JinkoSolar, a leading photovoltaic supplier, has expanded its clean energy products to many countries, including the United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Chile.

"Sunlight knows no borders, and neither should clean energy. We are committed to globalizing our technological innovations to benefit communities worldwide," said Qian Jing, global vice president of JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.