China responds to COP31 electrification initiative: differences in national conditions should be fully considered to seek the greatest common denominator

On the morning of October 21, the State Council Information Office held a press conference. Li Gao, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, introduced China's efforts in actively addressing climate change and participating in and leading global climate governance, and answered questions from journalists. The 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) will be held in Antalya, Trkiye, from November 9 to 20. Li Gao will once again serve as head of the Chinese delegation. China supports COP31 in focusing on "implementation" and in advancing the multilateral process to provide support and create conditions for all parties, especially developing countries, to implement their nationally determined contributions. A foreign media outlet asked whether China supports the COP Presidency's proposal to establish in Antalya a target of achieving 35% electrification by 2035, and whether China supports a version specifically focused on green electricity. Li Gao said that Trkiye, the COP31 Presidency, has launched an electrification initiative proposing a global electrification rate target of 35% by 2035, with participating countries deciding relevant policies and actions autonomously. China believes that raising the level of electrification helps promote the green and low-carbon energy transition and address climate change. China is also actively advancing the construction of a new energy system and a new power system, and raising the level of electrification in end-use energy consumption is also our policy direction. "We appreciate the active efforts made by the Presidency to advance the multilateral process. We have noted that the initiative has received support from many countries, while there are also some differing views. Some believe that the focus should be on implementing already established goals, some believe that green electrification targets should be strengthened, and others believe that as a voluntary initiative, there is no need for this kind of progress assessment. We suggest that the Presidency further fully listen to the views of all parties, fully consider differences in national conditions, seek the greatest common denominator, and strive for the broadest support," Li Gao said.