According to President Xi Jinping, China no longer wants to build new coal-fired power plants abroad.
The Chinese head of state and party made the announcement in his recorded speech at the UN general debate on Tuesday (local time) in New York.
"China will step up its support to other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy and not build new coal-fired power plants abroad," Xi promised.
As an exporter, China has built hundreds of these power plants in other countries and continues to build new power plants in its own country - despite criticism from environmentalists.
Xi emphasized the importance of improving global environmental policy, actively responding to climate change and creating a community for people and nature.
He also said that the transition to a green and low carbon economy needs to be accelerated and green recovery and development achieved.
China's plan: CO2 neutral by 2060
“China will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060.
This requires a tremendous effort and we will do everything we can to achieve these goals, ”said Xi.
Xi also spoke in his speech about the importance of international cooperation: "Differences and problems between countries that are hardly avoidable must be dealt with through dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect." Instead of confrontation and exclusion, dialogue and inclusion should be sought will.
Under Xi's rule, China has been accused of being increasingly ruthless internationally, of disregarding agreements and of relying on bilateral dialogues instead of institutions.
For example, Beijing is ignoring the 2016 ruling by an international arbitration tribunal that described China's extensive territorial claims in the South China Sea as unfounded.