Depth report

　　

On July 6, the China-Asean Development Knowledge Exchange with the theme of "ASEAN-China Energy Transition: Working Together for a Sustainable Energy Future" was held in Beijing. More than 70 representatives from international organizations, government departments of China and ASEAN countries, embassies of ASEAN countries in China, think tanks and research institutions, and enterprises discussed and exchanged views on energy transition and cooperation development between China and ASEAN countries.

"The transition to clean and sustainable energy is an inevitable trend of future energy development, which will not only help solve environmental and climate problems, but also promote economic development and maintain energy security." Since the Industrial Revolution, mankind has made great progress in terms of productivity, but environmental problems have not been adequately addressed, resulting in an imbalance between man and nature, the most prominent manifestation of which is the increase in emissions. Global carbon emissions have increased rapidly since the turn of the century, with annual global CO2 emissions increasing by 47% between 2000 and 2022, with an all-time high of 37.5 billion tonnes produced in 2022." Zhao Changwen, director of the China International Development Knowledge Center, pointed out that research shows that the increase in greenhouse gases generated by human use of fossil fuels is a key reason for the rise in global average temperature over the past 50 years. Therefore, reducing carbon emissions has become a global consensus, and energy transformation, that is, from traditional fossil fuels to clean energy, is an important way to deal with climate change.

To this end, in order to strengthen China-Asean energy cooperation, Zhao Changwen put forward three thoughts. First, China and ASEAN countries should actively engage in dialogue and consultation, share each other's experience in low-carbon energy transition and development, and formulate relevant cooperation plans to meet local development conditions. Second, China and ASEAN countries can strengthen cooperation in promoting renewable energy technologies, smart grids, distributed energy systems and energy storage technologies, and China can continue to support Southeast Asian countries in upgrading their power grids and promoting cross-border grid connectivity. In addition, China and ASEAN countries can also strengthen cooperation in the development of key mineral resources and clean energy industries to ensure supply chain security and stability, build a green supply chain, and provide effective solutions for the regional and low-carbon energy transition.

Hou Yanqi, China's ambassador to ASEAN, also made three suggestions. First, identify the entry point for cooperation. China and ASEAN countries are different in the development stage of resource endowment, and the path of energy transformation is bound to be different. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen policy communication, promote global development initiatives, and find an entry point for developing each other's strengths while meeting each other's needs, so that energy transition cooperation can truly promote regional development and enhance the common well-being of the people. Second, we need to strengthen forward-looking cooperation. As green and low-carbon transformation is at the forefront of international development, China-Asean cooperation also needs to be forward-looking. It includes: giving play to the leading role of scientific and technological innovation, promoting the research and development and application of cutting-edge technologies, mutual recognition and convergence of relevant standards, accelerating green investment and financing cooperation, creating a good policy environment, promoting a virtuous cycle of green investment and industrial development, designing and carrying out more targeted energy construction projects, and striving to achieve leap-forward development. Third, foster the internal impetus for cooperation. Energy transition involves government departments, relevant industries, enterprises, scientific research institutions and many other stakeholders. Targeted incentive measures should be taken to mobilize the enthusiasm of all parties. Through the implementation of practical projects, China-Asean energy transition cooperation will gain more internal momentum and achieve sustainable development through mutual achievements.

For energy cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, Yang Yan, Economic and Technological Research Institute of China National Petroleum Corporation, also shared her five thoughts. First, security co-insurance to enhance the security of energy supply capacity. Second, joint resource exploration to consolidate and upgrade cooperation in the exploration and development of traditional energy resources in the ASEAN region. The third is to jointly build green energy, adapt to local conditions, and promote renewable energy in accordance with the needs of local resource endowment industries. The fourth is to build a comprehensive regional energy trade and trading center. Fifth, share the results, share the experience of green and low-carbon development, and actively promote green and low-carbon cooperation.