Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry: China is leading the global transition away from fossil fuels, and the United States must catch up
Source: Global Times
[Global Times report by reporter Yan Peiyun] According to a report by the UK’s The Guardian on October 10, former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in an interview with the publication that China is currently at the forefront of the global shift away from fossil fuels, and that countries around the world—including the United States—must now follow suit.
John Kerry — photo courtesy of foreign media coverage
The report notes that China has become the world’s leading supplier of clean energy technologies, with its solar and lithium-ion battery supply chains accounting for 85% and 80% of global capacity, respectively. By 2025, nearly 75% of the world’s electric vehicles are expected to be manufactured in China.
The Guardian states that China’s current strategic choices position it as a pivotal player in the emerging global order centered on electricity, encouraging cooperation among competitors and strengthening its influence across the Global South. Meanwhile, many other nations, including the United States, have fallen significantly behind.
Kerry stated that unless these countries also embrace low-carbon energy and accelerate electrification, they risk not only economic setbacks but also deeper environmental crises.
"China is the only nation making substantial progress at scale. Other countries are still stumbling forward, while nature sends us increasingly urgent warnings every week, every day," Kerry said. He added that since the outbreak of conflict between the U.S. and Iran, and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, some nations have begun pursuing energy independence, resulting in a significant expansion of renewable energy adoption.
"The market has already made its choice. The world is moving toward electrification, entering an era driven by power," Kerry said. "This trend is irreversible."
Regarding China’s advancements in green manufacturing capacity, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that China’s green industrial output not only strengthens its own energy security but also opens broad opportunities for low-carbon leapfrog development among Global South nations. China remains willing to work with all parties to build a cleaner, more beautiful world. "Green transformation benefits sustainable human development and better safeguards the right of all countries to equitable growth. China stands ready to continue collaborating with others to build a cleaner, more beautiful world."
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881483361664004/
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