Opinion by Mathew Carr
May 28-31, 2025 — While China “deeply regrets” President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris climate deal a second time, people are dying because of global heating.
The US is ALSO probably among nations undemocratically covering up clean tech in the name of security.
Instead of tightening its 2030 emissions target, China is now focusing on 2035.
China is conflicted because its biggest “client” is America. EU — the biggest group of nations — purchases even more from China than the USA. See below.
China is responsible for supplying much of the US overconsumption…so that is why it stays largely silent on climate injustice. It should have a braver voice.
This is China’s pathetic (?) response:
Exclusive Interview with China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change Affairs, Liu Zhenmin by Xinhua.
(May 27, 2025 – Source: Xinhua Daily Telegraph, International Edition)
Liu emphasized that the U.S. remains a party to the Paris Agreement until January 27, 2026, and even afterward, it will still be a party to the UNFCCC. Its legal obligations should not be shifted onto other countries, especially not developing countries. “Even if the U.S. tries to shirk its legal responsibilities, as a country and a government, it must still bear its moral responsibility to its people and future generations.”
He added, “We deeply regret the impact of the U.S. federal climate policy shifts on China-U.S. climate cooperation. But we must also see that China and the U.S. do not have fundamental differences on climate change; there is broad room for cooperation.”
In 2024, under the China-U.S. Enhanced Climate Action Working Group, the two countries engaged in productive cooperation on methane and non-CO2 greenhouse gases, circular economy, energy transition, and subnational partnerships. Communication has also been maintained across think tanks, academia, business, and local governments.
…..
“We need the U.S. to have a broader global perspective and a stronger sense of responsibility. China remains open to cooperation with the U.S. on climate, and we will continue meaningful dialogue with all sectors of American society to support the global green and low-carbon transition.”
Full transcript by ChatGPT
Here’s the English translation of the full text you provided:
China-Europe Cooperation Can Make a Positive Contribution to Global Climate Change Efforts
Exclusive Interview with China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change Affairs, Liu Zhenmin
(May 27, 2025 – Source: Xinhua Daily Telegraph, International Edition)
China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change Affairs, Liu Zhenmin, held consultations on climate change with relevant EU officials in Brussels from May 22 to 23. In an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Brussels, Liu stated that China and Europe share broad common interests, with climate change and ecological environment being the areas of greatest consensus. He expressed hope that both sides would further expand cooperation to make positive contributions to global climate efforts.
Great Potential for China-Europe Climate Cooperation
Liu Zhenmin stated that both Chinese and European leaders emphasize that green should be the defining color of China-Europe cooperation. For a long time, both sides have firmly supported multilateralism and attached great importance to climate change, conducting a series of effective policy dialogues and pragmatic cooperation. Climate cooperation has become a highlight of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Europe.
Reviewing two decades of cooperation, Liu noted that China and Europe have a solid foundation and strong potential for cooperation in global climate governance and green, low-carbon, high-quality development. He hopes for expanded cooperation in areas such as climate policy research, international climate negotiations, carbon markets, energy transition, low-carbon technologies, low-carbon cities, climate finance and investment, and climate adaptation.
Regarding the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Liu believes that in order to address climate change effectively and meet the goals and principles of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, countries should reduce tariffs and barriers to facilitate free trade and investment. This would create a favorable international environment for the development of green and low-carbon industries and promote the innovation and adoption of green technologies.
However, he pointed out that CBAM is essentially a unilateral measure that violates the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” enshrined in the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. It undermines global cooperation on climate change. From a trade perspective, CBAM also breaches World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, could negatively affect China-EU economic and trade relations, and disrupt the multilateral trading system and global supply chains.
Liu stressed that addressing global climate change requires enhanced cooperation and dialogue, removing geopolitical interference, and reflecting deeply on the negative effects of “decoupling,” “de-risking,” and supply chain fragmentation. He called for a path of unity and mutual benefit to help reduce the cost of climate action and ensure countries can simultaneously pursue climate goals and sustainable development in a supportive international trade environment.
U.S. “Exit” Poses Challenges to Global Climate Governance
Liu noted that U.S. President Trump, on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, chose to withdraw from the agreement for the second time and deregulate oil and gas industries. These policy reversals in climate, environmental protection, and energy transition have brought greater uncertainty and challenges to global climate governance.
On one hand, this undermines the credibility of the Paris Agreement and raises doubts about whether its goals can be met. On the other hand, it weakens the leadership role of developed countries in global climate governance. Since WWII, the U.S. has led the developed world, but its withdrawal has left a leadership vacuum, raising concerns among other developed countries about who will now shoulder the financial, technological, and capacity-building responsibilities toward developing nations.
Liu emphasized that the U.S. remains a party to the Paris Agreement until January 27, 2026, and even afterward, it will still be a party to the UNFCCC. Its legal obligations should not be shifted onto other countries, especially not developing countries. “Even if the U.S. tries to shirk its legal responsibilities, as a country and a government, it must still bear its moral responsibility to its people and future generations.”
He added, “We deeply regret the impact of the U.S. federal climate policy shifts on China-U.S. climate cooperation. But we must also see that China and the U.S. do not have fundamental differences on climate change; there is broad room for cooperation.”
In 2024, under the China-U.S. Enhanced Climate Action Working Group, the two countries engaged in productive cooperation on methane and non-CO2 greenhouse gases, circular economy, energy transition, and subnational partnerships. Communication has also been maintained across think tanks, academia, business, and local governments.
“We need the U.S. to have a broader global perspective and a stronger sense of responsibility. China remains open to cooperation with the U.S. on climate, and we will continue meaningful dialogue with all sectors of American society to support the global green and low-carbon transition.”
Liu concluded that the EU, as the largest bloc of developed nations, has played a leading role in multilateral climate processes. Given the leadership vacuum among developed countries, “we hope the EU can act as a stabilizer and lead in delivering the financial, technological, and capacity-building commitments to developing countries, and strive to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 or even earlier,” to help the world achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century.
China’s Outstanding Contribution to Global Climate Governance
Liu emphasized that China has made a prominent contribution to global climate governance. China has consistently upheld multilateralism and actively participated in improving the international climate governance system. Regardless of global changes, China remains committed to its national strategy to combat climate change through mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Through initiatives such as the Green Belt and Road and South-South cooperation, China shares its green transition technologies, products, and experiences with other developing nations, providing crucial support in global climate governance.
In September 2020, President Xi Jinping announced China’s “Dual Carbon” goals (carbon peaking before 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060). Over the past five years, China has stayed on course, making significant progress in its green, low-carbon transformation.
This year, based on national conditions and development stage, China will submit its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC Secretariat in line with the Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement.
Liu outlined three key priorities for China over the next five years:
Ensuring carbon peaking before 2030, with comprehensive technical preparations to shift from carbon intensity control to total carbon emissions control. Accelerating deployment of renewable energy infrastructure, and supporting facilities such as transmission networks and integrated energy systems. Promoting clean use of necessary fossil fuels, continuing to clean up and decarbonize coal power, and advancing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) to reduce coal emissions.
Liu concluded, “The multilateral climate process is at a crossroads. Regardless of how other countries’ policies change, China, as the largest developing country and a major participant and contributor to climate governance, remains firmly committed to supporting multilateralism and achieving its dual carbon goals. We will continue to work with all parties to achieve meaningful outcomes at this year’s Belém Climate Conference and push forward global climate governance and the green transition.”
— Reported by Chen Binjie and Zhang Zhaoqing
Let me know if you want a condensed summary or specific section translated in a different tone or for a different audience.
中欧合作可为全球应对气候变化作出积极贡献
专访中国气候变化事务特使刘振民
（ 2025-05-27 ） 稿件来源：新华每日电讯 国际
中国气候变化事务特使刘振民于5月22日至23日在布鲁塞尔与欧盟有关官员举行了中欧气候变化事务磋商。刘振民日前在布鲁塞尔接受本报记者专访时表示，中欧有着广泛共同利益，气候变化和生态环境是双方最具共识的议题，希望双方进一步拓展合作领域，为全球应对气候变化作出积极贡献。
中欧气候合作大有可为
刘振民说，中欧领导人都强调，绿色应该成为中欧合作最鲜明的底色。长期以来，中欧均坚定支持多边主义、高度重视应对气候变化，开展了一系列卓有成效的政策对话和务实合作，气候变化合作日益成为中欧全面战略伙伴关系的一大亮点。
刘振民回顾了过去二十年中欧气候合作的成果。他说，中欧在推动全球气候治理、实现绿色低碳高质量发展方面具有良好的合作基础和深厚的合作潜力，希望双方进一步拓展合作领域，在气候政策研究、气候国际谈判、碳市场、能源转型、低碳技术、低碳城市、气候投融资、适应气候变化等领域加强对话合作，为全球应对气候变化作出积极贡献。
谈及欧盟的碳边境调节机制，刘振民认为，积极应对气候变化，落实《联合国气候变化框架公约》（简称《公约》）及其《巴黎协定》的目标、原则和要求，降低关税、减少壁垒，促进贸易和投资自由化便利化，能够为全球绿色低碳产业的蓬勃发展提供良好的国际环境，有效促进绿色低碳技术的创新和普及。
他说，碳边境调节机制本质上是一种单边措施，不符合《公约》及其《巴黎协定》确立的“共同但有区别的责任”原则，有损全球合作应对气候变化的集体努力。从贸易角度看，碳边境调节机制也不符合世贸组织规则，将对中欧经贸关系造成不利影响，更将冲击多边贸易体系和全球产业链供应链稳定，影响全球贸易和各国经济发展。
刘振民表示，应对全球气候变化，需要各方加强对话合作，携手努力，要坚决去除地缘政治因素对气候国际合作的人为干扰和破坏，深入反思“脱钩、断链、去风险”对全球气候行动带来的负面影响，坚定走团结合作、互利共赢之路，帮助各国降低气候行动成本，以良好的国际经贸环境为各国实现应对气候变化与经济社会可持续发展的双赢提供重要保障。
美国“退群”给全球气候治理带来挑战
刘振民说，美国总统特朗普在《巴黎协定》达成10年之际选择了第二次退出，同时松绑了对油气开采的监管，美国的气候、环保和能源转型政策倒退，给全球气候治理进程带来更大挑战和不确定性。
刘振民表示，一方面，美国这次退出进一步挫伤了《巴黎协定》的公信力，国际社会出现一些声音质疑《巴黎协定》目标能否落实；另一方面，美国退约减弱了发达国家在全球气候治理上的整体领导力。自二战结束80年来，美国一直是发达国家的领袖。美国退出后，发达国家群龙无首。“我们看到，在巴库气候大会上，发达国家内部已难以协调，发达国家普遍担心美国退出以后谁来分担美国应承担的责任，包括向发展中国家提供资金、技术、能力建设支持。”
刘振民强调，2026年1月27日前，美国仍然是《巴黎协定》的缔约方，之后美国虽不再是《巴黎协定》的缔约方，但仍然是《公约》的缔约方，其在《公约》及其《巴黎协定》下的既定法律责任与义务仍在，也不应转嫁给其他缔约方，特别是转嫁给广大发展中国家。“即使美国想甩脱法律义务，作为一个国家、一个政府，也要担起对本国人民和子孙后代的道义责任。”
刘振民说，“我们对美国联邦政府气候政策变化对中美气候合作的影响深表遗憾。但我们要看到，中美在气候变化领域没有根本分歧，而是有广阔的合作空间。”多年来，中美两国在气候领域的对话与合作不断为全球气候治理注入政治动力和信心。2024年，双方在“中美强化气候行动工作组”机制下，在甲烷和非二氧化碳温室气体、循环经济、能源转型、地方合作四个领域开展了良好的交流合作。除政府渠道外，双方在战略界、学术界、企业界、地方层面均建立起良好沟通渠道。
刘振民说，在全球气候变化问题上，我们需要的是美国有更开阔的视野，更大的全球责任感。对于与美国的气候合作，我们始终保持开放的态度，我们会与美国各界继续保持可行的、有益的交流和沟通，共同努力为全球绿色低碳转型贡献力量。
刘振民说，欧盟作为最大的发达国家集团，一直扮演多边进程旗手的角色。面对目前发达国家在气候变化议题上缺乏领导者的现实挑战，“我们期待欧盟能够在全球气候治理进程中发挥稳定器作用，并带领发达国家把对发展中国家提供资金、技术及能力建设各项支持的责任义务落到实处；同时，应尽量在2040年前甚至更早实现净零排放，以便为全球在本世纪中叶实现碳中和创造条件”。
中国在气候变化全球治理中的贡献突出
刘振民表示，中国在气候变化全球治理中作出突出贡献。中国始终坚定坚持多边主义，认真参与全球气候治理体系的建设与完善。不论国际形势如何变幻，中国一如既往采取积极应对气候变化国家战略，努力开展减缓和适应气候行动，在自身绿色低碳发展的同时，通过绿色“一带一路”、南南合作等为广大发展中国家提供力所能及的支持，与世界分享自身绿色低碳转型的技术、产品和经验，这些都是中国作为负责任大国对全球气候治理进程最大的贡献。
刘振民表示，2020年9月，习近平主席向世界宣示了中国的“双碳目标”。五年来，中国锚定“双碳”目标，坚定不移推进绿色低碳发展，取得显著成效。中国将本着积极负责任的态度，基于自身国情能力和发展阶段，按照《巴黎协定》及首次全球盘点要求，于今年适时向《公约》秘书处通报2035年国家自主贡献。
刘振民说，未来五年，中国将首先确保2030年前实现“碳达峰”，为实现从“碳强度控制到碳排放总量控制”做好各方面技术准备；其次，中国将持续做好可再生能源设施的部署与建设，同时将加快输变电及“源网荷储”等领域的配套设施建设；最后，中国将继续推动实现必须保留的化石能源的清洁利用，继续加快煤电清洁化、低碳改造，发展碳捕集利用与封存技术，持续降低煤电碳排放水平。
刘振民说，气候变化多边进程处在一个十字路口。着眼未来，无论其他国家政策如何变化，中国作为最大的发展中国家和全球气候治理的参与者、贡献者，维护气候多边进程的决心坚定不移，走绿色低碳高质量发展之路、落实“双碳”目标的决心坚定不移。中国将继续与各方一道，共同推动今年的气候变化贝伦大会取得积极成果，推进全球气候治理和绿色低碳转型进程。
（本报记者陈斌杰 张兆卿）
ChatGPT
As of 2024, China’s top export markets are:
United States – $500 billion
Hong Kong – $275 billion
Japan – $154 billion
South Korea – $148 billion
Vietnam – $137 billion
India – $114 billion
Russia – $110 billion
Germany – $101 billion
Netherlands – $100 billion
Malaysia – $85 billion
These figures are based on data from 2023-2024 and reflect China’s export destinations by value.
Notably, while the United States remains China’s largest single-country export market, trade dynamics are shifting. For instance, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) collectively became China’s largest trading partner in 2023, surpassing the U.S. This shift is attributed to China’s strengthening trade relationships with ASEAN countries, including Vietnam and Malaysia.
Additionally, China’s trade with the European Union (EU) remains significant, with the EU being China’s second-largest trading partner as of 2023.
These evolving trade relationships highlight China’s strategic diversification of its export markets amid global economic shifts.
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In 2023, the European Union (EU) imported goods worth approximately €515.9 billion from China, making China the EU’s largest source of imports, accounting for 20.5% of total extra-EU imports.
Conversely, the EU exported goods valued at about €223.6 billion to China, positioning China as the EU’s third-largest export destination, representing 8.8% of total extra-EU exports.
This trade imbalance resulted in a €291 billion deficit for the EU in 2023, a decrease from the €397 billion deficit recorded in 2022.
These figures underscore the significant role China plays in the EU’s trade dynamics, both as a major supplier and as a key market for European exports.