Accelerating green transition of 'Made in China'

As global climate efforts intensify and the energy transition accelerates, the international community is converging on the imperative need to transform manufacturing along green and low-carbon pathways. President Xi Jinping has put forward the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets". Embracing this concept, China has undergone a fundamental shift in its economic development paradigm. As a responsible manufacturing powerhouse, China is advancing new industrialization as a key task, with green and low-carbon development as its ecological foundation. By reducing carbon emissions, curbing pollution, expanding green initiatives and fostering economic growth, China contributes its wisdom and solutions to global sustainability.

Strengthening green vision guidance

Ideas guide actions, and the deep impetus for the green transition of China's sprawling manufacturing sector stems from President Xi's ecological civilization concept. The belief that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" transcends the traditional industrial paradigm, setting China on a path of high-quality growth coupled with high-level environmental protection. Guided by this vision, China has established a "1+N" policy framework for carbon peak and carbon neutrality, translating these ambitious goals into actionable and measurable steps. Through tools like setting green standards, promoting green finance and building carbon trading markets, China has created a stable and predictable market environment for green transition.

In recent years, China's economic growth has been relying less on energy consumption. From 2021 to 2024, China recorded an average annual industrial growth rate of over 5 percent with only around 3 percent annual growth in energy consumption. This green transition has unleashed robust new economic momentum: China has built the world's largest new energy industry chain. In 2024, China's total installed capacity of wind and solar power exceeded 1.2 billion kilowatts, achieving the 2030 installation target in Nationally Determined Contributions six years ahead of schedule. Today, over half of the world's electric vehicles run on Chinese roadways.

Deepening green tech innovation

Technological innovation is the core driver of the green transition in manufacturing. China has integrated green technology innovation into its national innovation system, achieving remarkable results through strategic government support, economies of scale and industrial synergy. According to the 2024 China Patent Survey Report by the China National Intellectual Property Administration, nearly half of Chinese enterprises have engaged in, or plan to pursue, green technology innovation.

Over the past decade, China has contributed to a cumulative reduction of over 60 percent and 80 percent, respectively, in the global average levelized cost of electricity for wind power and solar photovoltaic technologies.

Breakthroughs have also been made in making traditional industries greener. For instance, Chinese companies have built hydrogen-based metallurgy production lines with an annual production capacity of one million metric tons and green ammonia synthesis production lines with an annual capacity of 300,000 tons, achieving full-process mastery of complex technologies that support these factories. Meanwhile, one-million-ton carbon capture, utilization and storage projects have been completed and put into operation. These advancements lay the groundwork for larger-scale and deeper green transitions of manufacturing.

Popularizing green manufacturing models

Green manufacturing is a modernized production mode characterized by low consumption, low emissions, high efficiency and high returns. China has built a green manufacturing system encompassing green factories, industrial parks, supply chains and products, embedding environmentally friendly development into entire industrial processes. To date, China has cultivated 6,430 green factories, 491 green industrial parks and 727 green supply chain enterprises, while promoting over 40,000 types of green products. Among these, the output value of green factories now accounts for 20 percent of China's total manufacturing output, up from 9 percent in 2020. The energy and water consumption per unit of industrial output in green industrial parks is only two-thirds and one-fourth of the national average, respectively, with their average solid waste utilization rate exceeding 95 percent.

An increasing number of Chinese companies are incorporating green design and procurement into supply chain management, driving upstream and downstream partners to adopt green upgrades. Meanwhile, some industry leaders are pioneering carbon footprint management across product life cycles.

Contributing green transition solutions

By providing high-quality green technologies and products, Chinese manufacturing offers practical pathways for the global green transition. The nation's renewable energy products are exported to over 200 countries and regions, meeting more than 80 percent of global demand for photovoltaic modules and 70 percent for wind power equipment. This helps nations around the world, especially developing countries, access clean, reliable and affordable energy.

For instance, from 2021 to 2024, China produced approximately 15.6 trillion kW of photovoltaic modules, helping the world generate about 3.2 trillion kilowatt-hours of green electricity and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 2.54 billion tons. China has also collaborated with more than 100 countries and regions on green energy projects, delivering high-quality equipment and affordable green power. These initiatives demonstrate the tangible impact of Chinese solutions in helping other developing nations address climate change while fostering economic growth.

Systematic advancement of green transition

At a time when global climate governance is encountering setbacks and some nations are backsliding on their commitments, China's decision to embark on a green and low-carbon transition for its manufacturing sector serves as a powerful demonstration of its drive to foster new quality productive forces and pursue high-quality development. This choice also stands as a solemn pledge to global climate governance.

In his video speech at the United Nations Climate Summit 2025 in September, President Xi announced China's new NDC targets. China will, by 2035, reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent to 10 percent from peak levels, striving to do better; increase the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to over 30 percent; expand the installed capacity of wind and solar power to over six times 2020 levels, striving to bring the total to 3.6 billion kW; scale up the total forest stock volume to over 24 billion cubic meters; make new energy vehicles the mainstream in the sales of new vehicles; expand the National Carbon Emissions Trading Market to cover major high-emission sectors; and basically establish a climate adaptive society.

China's new NDC targets demonstrate a pragmatic and actionable ambition for emission reductions. With manufacturing spearheading the green transformation of our economy and society, China's industrial strategy is now honing in on a systematic transition. Moving forward, efforts will focus on three key fronts — modernizing the industrial system, developing green supply chains and deepening international collaboration.

Building a green industrial system

Traditional industries remain a crucial pillar of Chinese manufacturing. Their transformation and upgrading require systematic adjustments to product mixes, energy consumption patterns and raw material structures, along with the re-engineering of industrial processes. Particular emphasis will be placed on scaling-up the application of innovative technologies in sectors such as steel, building materials and chemicals.

Industries will capitalize on the vast market opportunities created by the green and low-carbon transition. Efforts will be made to vigorously develop green and low-carbon sectors, increasing the share of industries like environmental protection, new energy equipment and NEVs.

Simultaneously, to meet the demands of the energy revolution and industrial transformation under the "dual carbon" goals, China will strategically plan and deploy future-oriented energy and manufacturing industries, including hydrogen energy, energy storage, bio-manufacturing and carbon capture, utilization and storage.

Building a green supply chain

China is committed to embedding green development principles throughout the entire manufacturing chain — from raw material procurement to production, sales and recycling. China will drive large enterprises to implement green and low-carbon supply chain enhancement initiatives, leveraging green procurement as a guiding force. Through activities such as green audits and supply chain financing, the initiative will support upstream and downstream suppliers in adopting green upgrades and managing carbon footprints.

The country will also promote the cultivation of green factories, steadily increase the procurement share from green factory suppliers and strengthen international cooperation in building green supply chains. Furthermore, China will advance circular economy models, facilitate the development of reverse logistics networks that manage the flow of goods from their final destination back to the point of origin for purposes like recycling, and encourage businesses to establish recycling systems for key products such as batteries.

Enhancing international cooperation

Adhering to the principle of extensive consultations and joint contributions, China will leverage bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms to deepen collaboration in green technologies, equipment, trade and standards.

The country will encourage competitive Chinese enterprises in photovoltaics, wind power, lithium batteries and new energy vehicles to expand globally and to invest in and develop green energy projects in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and beyond, while promoting green infrastructure and transportation solutions. China will also actively participate in shaping international green and low-carbon regulations and strengthen its capacity to implement international conventions.

An ancient Chinese proverb reads: "Those who persevere in action will achieve their goals; those who steadfastly journey will reach their destination," which echoes the universal spirit of the Western adage: "Actions speak louder than words."

History rewards those who take concrete actions. No matter how the international landscape shifts, "Made in China" remains committed to honoring its pledge of building a community with a shared future for mankind through tangible green initiatives. China will champion the exchange of green technologies, promote the global alignment of green standards, facilitate the supply of green products and share opportunities in the green market. By forming the world's greatest joint force for green development, the country can collectively advance toward a future that is greener, more inclusive and sustainable.

The writer is minister of industry and information technology.