Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as President Xi Jinping's special representative, visited Türkiye from Sunday to Thursday to attend the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Antalya Leaders' Summit.
President Xi pointed out that climate response is a common cause for all humanity, Han said in his remarks at the summit, noting that the adverse impacts of global climate change are emerging at a faster pace.
In light of the new circumstances, Han put forward four proposals.
The first is to focus on common goals and strengthen collective actions.
He said it is important to follow the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, fully and effectively implement the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, and pool synergy for global climate governance.
The second is to accelerate the green transition and promote low-carbon development.
It is important to facilitate the free flow of quality green technology and products, and promote the transition and upgrading of economic and industrial structure, Han said.
The third is to prevent climate disasters and enhance climate resilience.
He called for commitment to both mitigation and adaptation, and strengthening cooperation on disaster prevention and reduction, monitoring and early warning, and rescue, so as to improve climate adaptability.
The fourth is to uphold openness and inclusiveness and deepen international cooperation.
Han emphasized the importance of offering more support and assistance to developing countries and jointly building a clean and beautiful world.
The Chinese vice president met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the summit.
Conveying President Xi's cordial greetings to Guterres, Han said that China attaches great importance to climate change.
China is committed to setting clear targets and ensuring their implementation, and stresses the need to be true in word and resolute in deed, which will continue to provide valuable stability and certainty for global climate governance, Han said.
Guterres asked Han to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi, calling China an important pillar of multilateralism and a key supporter of the UN.
China has gone beyond its commitments in taking concrete action to address climate change, making substantial contributions to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, Guterres said, adding that the UN looks forward to further strengthening cooperation with China to better address the challenges of climate change.
Han also attended the High-level Forum on South-South Cooperation on Climate Change hosted by China at the China pavilion.
In his speech, Han said countries of the Global South are bound by a shared future, and only through solidarity and cooperation can they achieve green development.
He called on Global South countries to work together to advance green development, enhance climate resilience, and strengthen capacity building, stressing that China will continue to uphold the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity, deepen South-South climate cooperation, and jointly write a new chapter of sustainable development for the Global South.
Han was also invited to a high-level event for the UN Early Warnings for All initiative hosted by Guterres.
China firmly supports the UN Early Warnings for All initiative, Han said in his remarks, calling on all countries to work together and take joint action to strengthen the early warning network, enhance science and technology empowerment, and bolster capacity building.
China will continue to support and participate in relevant activities under the initiative, and work with other countries to address climate challenges, strengthen climate resilience and safeguard people's safety, he added.
During his stay in Antalya, Han met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Conveying President Xi's cordial greetings and best wishes to Erdogan, Han said that under the strategic guidance of President Xi and Erdogan, China-Türkiye relations have maintained sound and steady development.
China stands ready to work with Türkiye to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, deepen practical cooperation across various fields, and promote the continuous development of the China-Türkiye strategic cooperative relationship, Han noted.
Erdogan asked Han to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to President Xi.
Türkiye attaches great importance to developing relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China principle, he said, expressing Türkiye's willingness to promote the implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintain close communication and cooperation with China, and elevate Türkiye-China relations to a new level.
Han also attended the China-Türkiye Green Development Business Forum in Istanbul with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, where they engaged in friendly and in-depth exchanges.
The two sides agreed to strengthen the alignment of development strategies between China and Türkiye, and deepen mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation.
Chinese vice president attends COP31 Antalya Leaders' Summit
Chinese vice president attends COP31 Antalya Leaders' Summit
Chinese vice president attends COP31 Antalya Leaders' Summit
