Insights Library

Browse TTP’s updates on the latest insights and analysis in chronological order below. 

China’s financing cooperation with Africa shows “open possibility” to solve Africa’s debt problem

Tang Xiaoyang, Professor, Department of International Relations, Tsinghua University 

China’s financing cooperation with Africa has demonstrated an “openness to possibilities” characterized by three main features: first, it is free of political preconditions. Second, it adopts pragmatic and diverse forms of financing, considering both the business requirements and national strategy. Third, its debt assessment mechanism puts more emphasis on the actual situation and the dynamic development potential, rather than following the standard based on a single development mode set by western financial institutions. 

The difference on financing approaches between the “West” and China should not be taken as a simple competition between two political models, it actually reflects the divergence of perspectives on economic development. For African countries, comparing the two approaches may help them have a chance to think deeply about debt and adjust their policies. However, this does not mean taking sides, (…) The fundamental way out of the debt problem is still for African countries to form their own social consensus and lead all sectors and industries to make a concerted transformation. 

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Climate change intensifies Mei-yu rainfall in China 

Wang Huijun and his research team, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology

Mei-yu is a unique summertime weather phenomenon in East Asia. In China, Mei-yu in the middle-lower Yangtze River valley (YRV) region is typically characterized by continuous rainy weather from mid-June to early July, significantly impacting agriculture, economy, and people’s daily lives. In the context of global warming, abnormal Mei-yu weather has led to severe meteorological disasters in recent years. 

Over the past 60 years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of rainless days, precipitation intensity, and the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events during the Mei-yu season in YRV region. The most pronounced trend was the increase in precipitation intensity. This suggests that with global warming, the weather during the Mei-yu season has become more unpredictable and extreme. 

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Chinese battery companies can play a bigger role in carbon footprint standard setting 

Zheng Ying, Invited Researcher at China Society of Automotive Engineers 

Faced with increasing trade requirements for recycling rates and the use of renewable materials, Chinese battery manufacturers find it relatively manageable thanks to their existing work. However, calculating the carbon footprint within their supply chains is a task that departs from traditional production methods and is relatively unfamiliar to most companies. 

On the other hand, carbon footprint standards and databases are still underdeveloped, both nationally and globally. This may be a unique opportunity for Chinese battery companies to take the lead or participate in carbon footprint standard setting, and thus increase their influence in the field of sustainable development. 

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Half of the greenhouse gas emissions from China’s food system occur during food production 

Liu Gang, Zhan Fan and Deng Xiangzheng, Chinese Academy of Sciences

China’s food system emitted 2.4 gigatons of CO2-equivalent in 2019, half of which was emitted at the production stage. About 47.6% of the GHG emissions were attributed to CO2, 0.8 Gt CO2e to CH4, 14.1% to N2O and 4.2% to F-gases. 

There were substantial differences in the emission structure and sources among the provinces. Further analysis indicated that the differences among provinces were caused by the separation of food production and consumption: people living in wealthier coastal and central regions consumed food from western and northeastern regions. Therefore, the government should consider interregional synergies when developing strategies to reduce food-system greenhouse gas emissions. 

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Cornerstone of China-U.S. climate cooperation faces great challenge

Chen Ying, Senior Research Fellow at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Influenced by the relationship between the U.S. and China, the issue of climate change often indicates the direction of bilateral relations. Historically, when China-U.S. relations are strengthened, climate change becomes an early area of collaboration. It can also serve as a litmus test of the sincerity and effectiveness of cooperation between the two countries. Despite efforts, executing substantial cooperation remains difficult and challenging between the two countries right now.  

At present, relations between China and the U.S. are at an unprecedentedly complex phase. On the one hand, the U.S. calls for China’s cooperation in the field of international climate governance. On the other hand, it continues to apply pressure and containment measures against China – a stance that is logically inconsistent and unworkable. 

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Green development is key to new industrialization

Economic Daily Commentary

Digitalization and low-carbon development are key aspects of modern industrialization and play a crucial role in the current scientific and technological revolution. Digital technology has become an important driving force in improving the efficiency, quality and core competitiveness of the industrial sector, while low-carbon standards help adjust the direction of industrialization and promote the new technological revolution in emerging industries.  

To achieve new industrialization, it is essential to promote the integration of digital technology into the real economy. It is equally important to accelerate the development of green industry and build a production system that is both environmentally friendly and resource-efficient. 

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China commits to find bridging solutions during COP28  

Xie Zhenhua, China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change 

Leaders from China, the US and the EU have all stressed the importance of ensuring the success of COP28. To that end, I have agreed with Kerry and Timmermans that we are committed to showing the utmost flexibility and constructiveness during this conference. Our goal is to find bridging solutions for some of the sticky issues that have arisen in the ongoing negotiations. 

In the past two months, Kerry and I have held video conferences almost bi-weekly to discuss arrangements for our next meeting and the Climate Action Working Group. I also proposed to Kerry that I am willing to travel to the US for further discussions if needed, seeking to achieve positive outcomes for the benefit of all. 

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Chinese EV makers likely to scale up manufacturing capacity in EU under pressure from anti-subsidy probe 

Zhu Yulong, Automotive Industry Analyst

Chinese companies were somewhat prepared for trade-related investigations as there were signals of growing pressure from the EU. Some Chinese EV manufacturers have already planned to build local manufacturing facilities in the EU to avoid potential anti-subsidy tariffs and to better meet the demands of the European market. Following the EU’s recent move to defend its own auto industry, although Chinese companies haven’t made an explicit statement yet, they will certainly accelerate their pace in establishing overseas factories.

Not only car manufacturers, but also Chinese EV battery manufacturers have long been planning to set up factories in Europe. In the future, both upstream and downstream players in the EV industrial chain will need to further localize their investments and operations in order to tap the European market.

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Increasing the penetration of renewables requires a holistic approach, not just energy storage

Liu Jizhen, member of the China Academy of Engineering

We need to be clear that energy storage is not a panacea. Energy storage will have a limited role in the new energy system dominated by renewables. The real solution lies in building a coordinated power system that includes generators on the supply side, consumers on the demand side, and the grids.

Europe and the US have completed their energy revolution from coal to oil and gas, while China is still in a “coal-based energy era” – that is China’s national conditions. We must vigorously promote the clean transformation of fossil fuels, the scaling up of clean energy and the diversification of energy sources without ignoring our national conditions and current situation.

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Transition from fossil fuels to renewables presents a growth path 

Pan Jiahua, deputy chair of China’s National Expert Committee on Climate Change 

As China’s economy is in dire need of growth drivers after the pandemic, a misinterpretation has arisen that the “dual carbon” targets should be put aside to make way for economic growth. This misinterpretation is based on the thinking that the fossil fuel industry can promote growth because it is highly capital-intensive, while “dual carbon” is an environmental protection task which is an investment without any return.

I have to say, this kind of thinking has failed to keep up with the times! The transition from conventional to new industries is itself an economic growth path. Compared to fossil fuels, the manufacturing of renewable energy equipment, energy storage, and end-use energy equipment has a longer industry chain, which can create more jobs and have more growth potential.

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