China has made important contributions to the global green development, with one out of every three kilowatt-hours of its electricity being generated with green energy, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said at a press conference in Beijing on Friday.
Ma made the statement at the press conference on the Sept 3 commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
"Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has made steady progress towards the goals on carbon peak and carbon neutrality, established a '1+N' policy framework to realize the two goals, built the world's largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system and consolidated the largest and most complete new energy industrial chain. China is also the country with the fastest- and most expanding green land in this planet, contributing one fourth of the total newly added green area in the world. Now in China, one out of every three kilowatt-hours of electricity is generated with green energy," said Ma.
"China has been actively engaged in international climate cooperation. Since 2016, China has provided and mobilized more than 177 billion yuan of project funds in support of other developing countries' climate response. Chinese new energy enterprises have provided 80 percent of the photovoltaic components and 70 percent of wind power equipment to the global market, lowering per kilowatt-hour cost of global photovoltaic and wind power generation by more than 80 percent and 60 percent respectively," said Ma.
Vice FM on China's contribution to green development
In his new year's call to world leaders, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged world leaders to get "priorities straight" and invest in development, not destruction.
"As we enter the new year, the world stands at a crossroads. Chaos and uncertainty surround us. Division. Violence. Climate breakdown. And systemic violations of international law. A retreat from the very principles that bind us together as a human family. People everywhere are asking: Are leaders even listening? Are they ready to act?" Guterres said in his New Year message for 2026.
The scale of global suffering remains severe. More than one-quarter of humanity lives in conflict-affected areas, over 200 million people require humanitarian assistance, and nearly 120 million have been forcibly displaced by war, crises, disasters or persecution, according to UN statistics.
"As we turn the page on a turbulent year, one fact speaks louder than words: Global military spending has soared to 2.7 trillion dollars, growing by almost 10 percent. That is thirteen times more than all development aid, equivalent to the entire Gross Domestic Product of Africa. All, while conflict rages at levels unseen since World War II. On this new year, let's resolve to get our priorities straight. A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars," said the UN chief.
A UN report released in September 2025 showed that rising military spending comes at a high opportunity cost, noting that less than 4 percent of current global military expenditure could end world hunger by 2030, just over 10 percent could vaccinate every child worldwide, and reallocating 15 percent would be sufficient to cover annual climate adaptation costs in developing countries.
"Peace must prevail. It's clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice. In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and planet over pain. And I urge everyone who hears this message: Play your part. Our future depends on our collective courage to act. This new year, let‘’s rise together: For justice. For humanity. For peace," he said.
UN chief issues New Year's call to world leaders for peace, development
