China-Europe-Africa forum highlights green energy cooperation

A forum on green energy cooperation between China, Europe and Africa has underscored technological collaboration to discover new potential in the industry and further contribute to global climate governance for a green and low-carbon future.

The second China-Europe-Africa Green Energy Development Forum opened in east China's Wenzhou City on Saturday, gathering more than 100 politicians, ambassadors and industry representatives from China, European and African countries to discuss new opportunities and innovations for green development.

A recent report from the International Energy Agency forecasts that China is set to account for almost 60 percent of all renewable capacity installed worldwide between now and 2030.

Several attendees praised China's efforts in advancing its transition toward a green, low-carbon economy.

"China is actively promoting the development of green energy across all provinces and regions, driven by the commitment to and implementation of green policies championed by President Xi Jinping. Simultaneously, the country has made substantial investments in green energy projects abroad," said Gilles Pargneaux, a former member of the European Parliament.

In September, China announced plans to implement 30 clean energy projects in Africa to support the continent's green development.

"China holds a prominent position in the field of new energy, backed by advanced technology and extensive experience in wind and solar power. As an international market player, it has huge potential and competitiveness," said Salaheddine Mezouar, former Moroccan foreign minister.

China, Europe, and Africa each possess unique strengths in green energy, with significant potential for complementarity.

As China leads in expanding renewable energy capacity, Chinese companies are actively seeking win-win partnerships with Europe and Africa, particularly in the solar energy sector.

"We can provide pretty, cost-effective products for both European solar market and also African solar market. We could create a lot of jobs since we need local labor to do the installation. It could increase the economics by providing green energy and also raise production efficiency there," said Lu Chuan, chairman of Chint New Energy that operates photovoltaic businesses.

A white paper from China's National Energy Administration reveals that the country's total installed capacity of wind, solar, and photovoltaic power reached 1.2 billion kilowatts by the end of July, achieving its target six years ahead of schedule.

China-Europe-Africa forum highlights green energy cooperation

China-Europe-Africa forum highlights green energy cooperation

China-Europe-Africa forum highlights green energy cooperation

China-Europe-Africa forum highlights green energy cooperation

Mourners rallied across Iran on Thursday to pay tribute to the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28.

The events took place on the last day of a 40-day mourning period for Khamenei.

Holding portraits of their deceased leader and waving the national flags of the Islamic republic, Iranians took part in the rallies which lasted around 10 hours across the country, including the capital Tehran.

The rallies also came ahead of the planned high-level talks between Iran and the United States in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Saturday.

Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said Iran will not negotiate its uranium enrichment program with anyone.

"Iran's nuclear industry is an indigenous industry, achieved through the efforts of Iranian researchers, and cannot be destroyed -- this is a widely acknowledged fact. Today, the Iranian people have demonstrated our strength to the world, and the Iranian armed forces have also demonstrated its power. Uranium enrichment is not a topic open for negotiations; it is a necessary component of the national development plan. We will not negotiate with anyone on this matter," Eslami told China Media Group (CMG) when taking part in the rally in Tehran.

Some Iranians expressed pessimism about the prospects for the Iran-U.S. negotiations, recalling how the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the landmark Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and how the U.S. and Israel have twice launched sudden attacks on Iran during negotiations over the past year.

"The enemy is cunning and treacherous; Iran must stay cautious and vigilant. Our government must not be deceived by the enemy. [The government] must stand firm in negotiations to avoid being misled. We have already gone through multiple negotiations, and all we have got is betrayal. I do not think the negotiations will be productive. I'm pessimistic about the prospects," said Reza, a resident.

"Given what's happening in Lebanon, all the things that have happened before, and the results of previous rounds of negotiations, frankly, I'm not optimistic. But I believe [the negotiations] are part of the process to end the war.," said Sajjad, another resident.

Ahead of this week's ceasefire, Israel and the United States had been conducting joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities since Feb 28, killing Supreme Leader Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.

Iranians hold rally in memory of slain supreme leader