China's green technology exports have beaten U.S. exports of fossil fuels in total value in 2025, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore said Friday on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
"Last year, China not only exported more green technology by dollar value than the United States' export of fossil fuels to the rest of the world, but more by 50 percent," he told reporters.
"China has invested in an appreciating asset going up in value because the cost of electricity from renewables and batteries continues to go down rapidly, while the policy of clinging to outdated, dirty, destructive fossil fuels is a depreciating asset and could become a stranded asset for those who cling to it for too long," Gore said.
While China was once known for exporting mostly labor-intensive, low-end products in the global value chain, its export structure has undergone remarkable upgrading in recent years, with exports becoming increasingly greener and more technology intensive.
In the field of green energy, exports of lithium batteries and wind turbines soared by 26.2 percent and 48.7 percent, respectively, in 2025. Within the green mobility sector, exports of electric motorcycles and bicycles rose by 18.1 percent last year.
China has seen its green and low-carbon energy transition accelerate at the fastest pace during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).
Green electricity accounted for one-third of China's total electricity consumption during the period, according to the National Energy Administration.
Former US Vice President on China's green technology
A protest in Tokyo on Saturday highlighted growing public concern over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on China's Taiwan region and the government's plans to expand its military.
In early November 2025, Takaichi said a "Taiwan contingency" could constitute what she called a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, remarks that many critics say reflect nostalgia for Japan's colonial past and an attempt to weaponize the Taiwan issue against China.
Protesters distributed flyers and held up signs denouncing Takaichi's remarks and policies.
"The Japanese government has already acknowledged that Taiwan is part of China, so I can't help but wonder why the current prime minister would make such remarks. We truly hope there will be no more statements like this. Takaichi should either retract her words or just resign. Her comments have triggered a serious crisis, and she must take full responsibility," one protester said.
"There is widespread anger toward Takaichi within Japan. If the government truly prioritizes people's livelihoods, it must pursue responsible diplomacy, reject any provocation of war and uphold the pacifist constitution. This is what matters most," another demonstrator said.
"It is an interference in China's internal affairs. She must immediately and sincerely apologize for her remarks," said another participant in the rally.
Protesters also said Takaichi's aggressive actions since taking office, including intending to revise three national security documents, easing restrictions on arms exports and planning to increase the defence budget, are dangerous, particularly given Japan's failure to fully reckon with its World War II history.
"Japan's military buildup is dangerous. Eight decades have passed since the war ended, yet the country still hasn't fully reflected on or accounted for its wartime past," a protester said.
Protesters rally in Tokyo over PM Takaichi's Taiwan remarks, military expansion plans
