Smart recycling bins, zero-carbon industrial park sandboxes, solar-powered smart manhole covers... From September 10 to 14, the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services held in Beijing showcased green technologies and products as a major highlight.
Shougang Park, the event's venue, stands as a prime example of China's sustainable development. Once a steelworks, the site has been transformed into a green innovation ecosystem through eco-friendly architectural design, energy conservation, emissions reduction, and resource recycling. Having served as a venue for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, it now also functions as a key hub for cultural tourism, consumption, and international exhibitions.
"What is truly encouraging is the broad international consensus on advancing climate action through sustainable development," said Sha Zukang, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN). He believes that China's proven successes in green development could serve as a reference framework for developing countries to tailor and implement according to their specific national conditions.
Global South as a community with a shared future for green development
2025 marks the 20th anniversary of China's "Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains Are Invaluable Assets" philosophy and the 5th anniversary of its "Dual Carbon" goals (peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060).
Thus far, China has established a relatively complete industrial chain in new energy sectors. In 2024, the country's wind turbine exports surged by 71.9%; photovoltaic product exports exceeded RMB 200 billion for the fourth consecutive year; and lithium battery shipments reached a record 3.91 billion units.
In Sha's view, China and other developing nations share fundamental development imperatives, creating a common ground for dialogue. "We have both endured similar historical experiences and continue to confront shared development challenges today. China and the Global South are, in essence, a community with a shared future—particularly in the realm of green development," he emphasized.
"A substantial number of standards have been developed by China through rigorous trial-and-error practices across its 9.6 million square kilometers of territory, particularly in sectors like wind energy, solar power, and nuclear technology—all of which now meet global top-tier benchmarks. Other Global South countries are welcome to assess the applicability of these proven methodologies in their local contexts."
Guangdong can play a greater role in global green cooperation
As China's manufacturing powerhouse, Guangdong Province is accelerating its industrial transformation toward high-end, intelligent, and green development. From January to August 2025, Guangdong's exports of the "New Trio" products (electric passenger vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar cells) reached RMB 126.39 billion, up by 33% year-on-year.
"The 'New Trio' embodies China's new productive forces and serves as a critical component of the green economy," Sha explained. "In the long run, it's inevitable that new energy vehicles (NEVs) will displace internal combustion engine cars. Guangdong now leads with a complete NEV supply chain and price competitiveness."
According to Sha, Chinese companies going global need to maintain a strategic bottom-line mindset, achieving meaningful market presence while thoroughly understanding local political systems, security situations, economic conditions, financial regulations, and cultural values. "Mutual respect can only grow from such deep understanding."
He also emphasized that for outbound enterprises pursuing localization, achieving win-win outcomes requires joint risk management and equitable benefit allocation, thereby cultivating a shared community spirit with host countries.
"In these regards, Guangdong should align with the highest international standards and rules while pursuing more comprehensive opening-up. Within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area framework, across the nation, and on the global stage, I believe Guangdong can and should play an even more pivotal role."
Reporter | Chen Jinxia
Video | Guo Hongda
Poster | Cai Junru
Editor | Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
