In an address to the United Nations Climate Summit in New York on Wednesday, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s unwavering commitment to climate action.

Delivered via video, Xi’s speech comes at a critical moment. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement — a crucial year for nations to update their Nationally Determined Contributions as global climate governance enters a decisive phase.

Announcing China’s ambitious new NDCs, Xi said that these targets represent China’s best efforts based on the requirements of the Paris Agreement, and meeting these targets will require painstaking efforts by the country itself as well as a supportive and open international environment.

Saying that the green and low carbon transition is “the trend of our time”, he urged the international community to “stay focused in the right direction” despite some countries “acting against it”.

China has consistently prioritized and actively participated in global climate governance. The country has previously pledged to peak its carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. But the 2035 goals announced by Xi mark a new stage in China’s climate policy.........

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