During his official visit to China from October 8 to 15, Achim Steiner, the UN Deputy Secretary-General and Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), aimed to deepen and broaden the longstanding partnership between China and UNDP. This visit marked Steiner’s first trip to China since 2019.
What outcomes did this visit yield? How does Steiner perceive China’s green transition, particularly the development of electric vehicles? Additionally, what are his views on the current state of the Chinese economy? This edition of “Blue Hall Observations” takes a closer look.
Understanding China’s Green Transition: A Key Objective
Over the course of his week-long visit, Steiner held intensive meetings with key Chinese officials. He emphasized that his primary mission was to gain insights into China’s latest progress in areas such as climate change, biodiversity, green transition, and development finance, as well as to strengthen cooperation.
In an interview with a reporter from China Media Group, Steiner remarked: “Today, China has successfully transitioned to a green economy. It is projected that next year, China’s solar and wind energy generation will surpass the total for the rest of the world combined. We also observed that this year, one out of every two cars sold in China is an electric vehicle. Who could have predicted that five years ago? With policy guidance, China’s technological transition has reached a significant scale, which not only supports its economic green transition but also positions China as a leader in the global green economy and green technology. Many places around the world will benefit from China’s green transition, as the prices for solar and wind energy have dramatically reduced. Regions like Africa will be able to significantly increase their energy production over the next two to three decades. In a sense, these transitions are beneficial for both China and the international community.”
Collaboration Over Conflict
The UNDP serves as a global network for development, assisting countries in addressing various domestic and global challenges. Steiner firmly believes that green and digital transitions are the two major driving forces for future development, and UNDP is committed to ensuring that nations in the Global South are not left behind during this process.
However, he candidly pointed out that the greater risk at present is the division within the international community. Due to political polarization, discussions on international cooperation, investment, and energy transition are often clouded by misinformation and radical viewpoints. The situation facing Chinese electric vehicles serves as a clear example.
Steiner stated, “In geopolitical terms, we are witnessing some conflicting signals in the global market. However, I hope these disturbances are only temporary. Ultimately, our global economy will evolve toward green energy and transportation. The facts speak for themselves; no matter how large or capable a country is, it cannot address issues like climate change in isolation. We must collaborate. Focusing solely on short-term gains often leads to poor decisions. In the long run, we need to view each other as partners and co-investors. It is important to clarify that competition is not out of the question; rather, we must avoid turning partners, who should be working together to solve issues, into new adversaries.”
China as a True Partner of UNDP
During his visit, Steiner signed a memorandum of understanding with the China International Development Cooperation Agency, further advancing collaboration in the realm of sustainable development.
He reflected on China as more than just a country; it represents a culture and civilization with thousands of years of history. “China’s ability to leverage modern technology and policy experience into its own development path hinges on its openness and capacity to learn from the outside world. Over the past 45 years, UNDP has had the privilege of participating in China’s development. We believe that as true partners, our relationship will remain strong in the future.”
Regarding current external concerns or doubts about the Chinese economy, Steiner views China’s developmental trajectory as still quite clear. He observed, “At this time, many countries are experiencing a period of turbulence and shocks more pronounced than over the past decade. These challenges arise from various factors, including bilateral relations, economic upheaval, financial crises, and debt issues. In navigating these challenges, China holds a relative advantage due to its large economic scale, allowing it to absorb some of the shocks. I believe that China’s overall direction of development remains very clear. The nation is engaging in deep thought and discussions about its next five-year plan, marking an important moment.”
