President Gong Qihuang, 

President Alivisatos,

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Good evening! It’s my great pleasure to attend the Joint Forum on Addressing the Climate and Energy Challenge. Since its inception, the U.S.-China Forum at the University of Chicago has served as a bridge of communication, featuring inspiring discussion on issues concerning China-US relations and sustainable development. On behalf of the Consulate General of China in Chicago, I would like to express appreciation to the University of Chicago and all the people who have worked to enhance the China-US mutual understanding and pragmatic cooperation and made this forum a success.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of President Nixon’s visit to China and the issuance of the Shanghai Communiqué. Over the past five decades, China-U.S. relations have braved wind and rain and continued to move forward, which have not only brought great benefits to our two peoples, but also made important contributions to world peace, stability and prosperity. China-U.S. relations have gone well beyond the bilateral scope and carry important implications for the whole world. It has been proven time and again that cooperation serves the interests of the two countries while confrontation will only hurt both. President Xi Jinping pointed out that whether China and the U.S. can handle their relationship well bears on the future of the world. It is a question of the century to which the two countries must provide a good answer. And the international community and the people all over the world also expect China and the U.S. to maintain healthy and stable bilateral relations, advance global cooperation, protect world peace and security and promote global development and prosperity. Such are the responsibilities that both China and the US should shoulder as major countries in the world.

China is the largest developing country in the world, and its development is to constantly meet people's ever-growing aspirations for a better life. To achieve this goal, we will always adhere to the people-centered development philosophy, realise Chinese-style modernization with high-quality development, pursue the green and low-carbon development path that prioritizes ecological conservation, promote harmonious coexistence of man and Nature, and work with other countries around the world to foster the global development partnership and build a shared future for all life on Earth.

China has announced the targets of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and will make the greatest reduction in carbon emission intensity in the world in the shortest time span in human history. China has over-fulfilled the climate action goals committed for the year 2020 and has put forth new nationally determined contributions. China has unwaveringly committed to trees-planting and forest restoration, developing clean and renewable energy, has put carbon dioxide emissions under strict control and established the largest national carbon market in terms of the volume of greenhouse gas emissions. China has engaged extensively in international cooperation on climate change. We advocate following the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, moving faster to meet the temperature goals set out in the Paris Agreement, implementing the Global Development Initiative, and working with all parties for a green Silk Road.

As President Xi Jinping pointed out that everyone living on Earth is part of a big family and humanity is one community, and that climate change is a common challenge to all, and we humanity must come together to rise to that challenge. China will work with other countries around the world to promote and practice true multilateralism, with each doing its best and all working in solidarity. With real efforts, we will be able to protect our shared planet and leave a better world to future generations. I hope that this forum will be a great success in building consensus and promoting international cooperation. I also sincerely hope that China and the US would respectively and collectively play constructive roles in promoting green, low-carbon, and sustainable development for the benefit of the two peoples and the people of the world.

Thank you!