China Leads Global Green Transition
Nations across the world are increasingly looking to innovation and policy leadership to transition toward sustainable energy solutions. China, as one of the biggest economies, has undertaken a comprehensive transformation toward a low-carbon future. With its dual carbon goal — carbon peaking and carbon neutrality — it is integrating green technologies into its industrial, economic, and social systems.
The international media has started paying keen attention to China's green technologies, analyzing its achievements in green innovation and how its experiences can contribute to a global green future.
The New York Times highlighted breakthroughs in electric vehicle (EV) technology, particularly China's development of a system capable of charging EVs in just five minutes. This technological leap, alongside advances in solar panels, wind turbines, and other clean energy solutions, has positioned China at the forefront of clean energy innovation. It also leads the world in clean energy patents, with its installation of wind turbines and solar panels in 2024 surpassing the rest of the world combined.
"With its vast industrial scale and technological ingenuity, China is uniquely positioned to drive breakthroughs in critical emerging clean technologies — from green hydrogen to negative-emissions solutions and smart grids — that could reshape both its economy and the planet's future," said the East Asia Forum, an international policy forum based at the Australian National University.
It added that emerging solutions languish in the "'innovation valley of death' — the gap between prototype and market-ready deployment. China's industrial and technological strengths could tip the scales…. Closer international collaboration, led by China, in co-developing and scaling emerging cleantech solutions can transform the green transition into a shared economic imperative."
Behind China's rapid advancements is a firm, long-term strategy. As AnewZ, a TV station in Azerbaijan, reported, China has fully integrated its dual carbon goal into national planning. In July 2024, China announced it had already met its 2030 target for wind and solar power installations, six years ahead of schedule. China's investment, innovation, and strategic planning have positioned it as a global leader in clean energy.
According to the International Energy Agency's 2025 World Energy Investment Report, China now accounts for nearly a third of global clean energy spending, further cementing its status as a key player in the energy transition.
The Japan Times remarked that China's emphasis on green innovation has led to its leading role in the green technology supply chain. This success is the result of a combination of government support, economies of scale, and forward-looking industrial ecosystems, all aligned to foster growth in renewable energy technologies.
China's green innovations are now helping other developing countries transition to cleaner, more sustainable futures. As the World Economic Forum reported, China's low-cost solar panels are lighting up rural communities in Zimbabwe, while its EVs are becoming popular in cities across Mexico and Thailand. These affordable solutions are making it possible for countries with limited resources to embrace clean energy technologies, accelerating their own green transitions.
The Financial Times also highlighted how China's leadership in clean energy technologies is benefiting the Global South. Through the Belt and Road Initiative, China has facilitated support for green energy projects, providing other developing nations access to affordable, cutting-edge technologies. This not only benefits China but also helps address the urgent need for low-carbon solutions in emerging economies.
Overall, domestically, according to the 2024 China Patent Survey Report by the China National Intellectual Property Administration, nearly half of Chinese enterprises have initiated or are planning to pursue green innovation. Among these, 30.9 percent of companies in emerging strategic industries have already started green innovation projects. China's efforts are not only reshaping its development but also offering lessons and solutions for global sustainability.