(Davos, Switzerland) — The Chinese delegation led by special climate envoy Xie Zhenhua met with the chief of the International Energy Agency Monday in Davos to discuss the global energy transition and China’s green push.
Xie is the only Chinese government representative participating this year’s World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort, the organization’s first face-to-face gathering after a two-year hiatus amid the pandemic.
The Chinese delegation held a one-hour closed-door meeting between 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 a.m. with Fatih Birol, executive director of IEA, in the Congress Center in Davos as the annual WEF meetings opened late morning May 23.
During the meeting with the IEA, Xie discussed China’s efforts and policy moves to respond to global climate change and promote renewable energy, according to a person in the Chinese delegation. China leads the world in total installed capacity and newly added capacity for renewable energy generation.
Birol expressed concerns that countries are increasing the use of fossil fuels to address difficulties amid the global energy crisis and emphasized the long-term strategic importance of green transition. The parties agreed that the IEA and China should enhance communication and cooperation to jointly promote efforts to address climate change.
Xie is also expected to meet with his U.S. counterpart John Kerry between 13:30 and 14:30 May 24 in their first face-to-face meeting since November’s climate talks in Glasgow.
Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@cain.com)
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