Jiang Wenran visits the Xianhu Laboratory in Foshan on May 30, 2026.
Amid the worsening climate change, no country is an island. Heatwaves have swept across regions worldwide, calling for the joint efforts of all humanity.
For over two decades, Chinese Canadian Jiang Wenran has dedicated himself to fostering energy and environmental exchanges and collaboration between China and Canada as President of the Canada-China Energy & Environment Forum (CCEEF).
In late May, he visited Chinese EV giant BYD in Shenzhen, as well as a local energy industry park and a clean energy laboratory in Foshan, Guangdong Province, experiencing China's green energy firsthand alongside other Canadian delegates.
China's well-implemented energy transition goals
Since 2004, when Jiang began working with the government under then-Prime Minister Paul Martin to embark on this annual bilateral energy and environment dialogue, CCEEF has been a leading independent organization and conference series.
Over the past three years, his institution—working with a western provincial government, the Canadian federal government, and the private sector—has funded a large-scale research project that is now entering its final stage.
China is currently working at full speed toward its dual carbon goals: peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Regarding China's dual carbon goals, Jiang believes they are well on track. China is recognized as a global leader in carbon neutrality and emission reduction.
What is more impressive about these goals, according to Jiang, is that the entire country has been mobilized. "It's not simply a slogan, or something pushed by the central government. People feel it at the grassroots level."
More importantly, the implementation process he saw in visiting different enterprises and research centers in Guangdong Province has revealed that China has treated going green not merely as a commitment but increasingly as a business case—being green, carbon-neutral, and energy-efficient, and eliminating carbon footprints.
"That part is moving very fast, and the rest of the world needs to learn from China on that," Jiang said.
A smart road sweeper manufactured by Infore Enviro, a Foshan-based company, is pictured on May 30.
Moves for energy collaboration in a new era
Undeniably, Canadian PM Mark Carney's visit to China in January this year reset bilateral ties despite past frictions. He announced a trade agreement allowing up to 49,000 Chinese-made EVs to enter the Canadian market at a tariff rate of approximately 6%, replacing the 100% additional tariff implemented in 2024.
As part of the agreement, Canada aims to attract Chinese capital investment into its automotive industry. Correspondingly, Mélanie Joly, the Canadian Minister of Industry, visited China in mid-June to talk with executives from Chinese automakers such as BYD, Chery, Geely, and Launch Design about partnerships with Canadian firms for local vehicle manufacturing.
These four Chinese manufacturers are exploring how to utilize Canada's low-tariff import quotas for Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).
The exchanges between the two sides could expand in many areas, Jiang observed. China's manufacturing capacity exceeds that of all G7 countries combined. Provinces such as Guangdong are now major economies on a global scale.
He proposed that Chinese firms could go to Canada and set up dedicated offices in specific sectors to promote exchanges in areas such as climate cooperation and clean energy.
"We saw many such enterprises in Foshan, Guangdong, but we hadn't realized they were doing so well in terms of cost and innovation. They can be introduced to Canada as well as to other parts of the world," Jiang noted.
Reporter | Zhang Ruijun
Photo | Guo Hongda
