Reference News Network, September 29 report: The U.S. "New York Times" website published an article titled "China's Small Steps Forward Appear More Significant Against the Backdrop of Trump's Retreat" on September 27. The main content is translated as follows:

During a week when China appeared at the United Nations, it tried to convey the message that the great power willing to take on global responsibilities is China, not the United States, because the United States under President Trump has repeatedly sent signals of retreat.

Chinese leaders used the opportunity of the United Nations General Assembly to make commitments in trade and addressing climate change. These commitments have established an image of China as a pillar of global stability and global cooperation, which is more remarkable than the substance of the commitments themselves.

In terms of climate change, Chinese President Xi Jinping detailed Beijing's targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a video address at the UN Climate Summit on the 24th. The contrast was even more obvious, as the day before China made this commitment, Trump had still mocked climate change as "the biggest hoax created by fools."

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, during his speech at the General Assembly on the 26th, pointed out that the increase in unilateralist and protectionist measures such as tariff threats and "building walls and barriers" is slowing economic growth, which clearly refers to the United States. In contrast to the U.S. approach, he stated that China will continue to expand its openness.

He also said on the 23rd that China no longer seeks some trade preferential treatments provided by the World Trade Organization for developing countries. Analysts point out that this statement aims to show that China supports fairer trade at a time when the Trump administration has weaponized tariffs.

Beijing calls its approach "genuine multilateralism," which includes supporting international organizations and treaties that Trump has rejected, such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Lu Delun, an expert at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said that China's goal is to convince other countries that China is a just actor, thereby making other countries more likely to follow Beijing rather than Washington.

Lu Delun said, "It is clear that the U.S. has left a leadership vacuum in some areas, such as climate issues, and this is exactly where China can step up and play a role."

Li Shuo (音), director of the Center for Chinese Climate at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said he hopes that with continued support for the development of the electric vehicle, wind energy, and solar energy industries, China will ultimately achieve more carbon reduction than its set targets. (Translated by Pan Xiaoyan)

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7555358699552784932/

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