Chinese modernization, as the fundamental development strategy for the country in the 21st century, encompasses nearly every aspect of modern China’s life. In other words, it is not about the accelerated development of individual sectors but about creating a unified growth model. And in this new model, particular attention is paid to the ecological component.

The key features of the ecological component of Chinese modernization are as follows:

Firstly, ecology has become a fundamental principle and can be seen as the foundation of the entire modernization paradigm. Another significant quote from the 20th Congress report is: “Respect for nature, adaptation to nature, and protection of nature are essential requirements for the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist state.” Therefore, ecological principles have been enshrined in the updated version of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, and ecological requirements and standards are outlined in all legal documents related to economic, financial, and production fields.

Secondly, a fundamental issue for Chinese modernization is achieving carbon neutrality. Currently, the goal is to peak emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Importantly, unlike past practices, these goals are now reflected in legislation and key party documents. Regarding China’s leadership in the fight to reduce emissions, a clear example is that in 2024, China’s share of the 2.1 trillion dollars global investments in low-carbon energy transition amounted to 818 billion dollars (a 20 percent increase compared to 2023).In contrast, the United States saw stagnation in investment levels (338 billion dolars), while the European Union (381 billion dollars) and the United Kingdom (65.3 billion dollars) experienced declines. Notably, China’s total investment surpassed the combined investments of the United States, EU, and the UK.

Furthermore, in a 2024 report by the Center for Research in Energy and Clean Air (CREA), 44 percent of climate change experts from academia and industry believe that China’s CO₂ emissions will peak no later than 2025, compared to only 21 percent of experts in last year’s survey.

Thirdly, a comprehensive restructuring of the energy sector is underway. China is gradually moving away from coal-fired power plants and, has stopped financing construction of those abroad. By the end of 2024, the total installed capacity of renewable energy generation in the country reached 1.889 billion kW, a 25 percent increase from 2023. Meanwhile, electricity production from renewable sources in 2024 reached 3.46 trillion kWh, a 19 percent increase from the previous year, with generation accounting for about 35 percent of the total electricity production. China now produces more than 80 percent of all solar panels worldwide, and holds the world’s largest wind farms, along with the largest projects in nuclear and hydrogen energy.

Fourthly, a particularly interesting tool in contemporary Chinese modernization is the development of green finance. Green finance is intended for investment and funding of projects in environmental protection, energy conservation, clean energy, green transportation, and environmentally friendly construction projects. It includes green loans, green bonds, green production funds, and more.

Since 2017, the People’s Bank of China has been a member of the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), and has been one of the first to incorporate ecological criteria into its policy. Since then, a “green taxonomy” has been introduced (similar to the European taxonomy) so that businesses know which projects meet the standard.

In 2024, the total volume of green loans exceeded 30 trillion yuan (about 4.5 trillion dollars), which constitutes 13 percent of the total volume. In the third quarter of 2024, China issued green bonds worth 20 billion dollars, becoming the largest source of such bonds globally during that period.

Fifthly, the modernization of consumption standards and the use of eco-friendly goods is of great importance. This includes modernization of the transportation system, use of eco-friendly technologies, and formation of environmental awareness in general. Today, China is an obvious global leader in the production and consumption of electric vehicles. In 2024, 10.97 million NEVs were sold in China, a 40.7 percent increase from 2023, with total NEV production growth of 30.1 percent. China also became the leader in NEV sales: in 2023, China accounted for more than 60 percent of all NEV sales worldwide.

Sixth, it is a new approach to urbanism and the development of green cities, villages, and the promotion of eco-tourism. The concept of "green mountains and clear waters are invaluable assets," put forward by Chairman Xi in 2005, has today been incorporated not only into the updated edition of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China (2018) but also into all fundamental documents of China's modernization. This slogan is impressively implemented in practice. For example, the Anxi County in Zhejiang Province, where Xi Jinping first delivered this historic concept, initially specialized in the cultivation and logging of bamboo, which was causing significant harm to the ecology. A few years later, the region requalified itself for eco-tourism, bamboo crafts, and tea plantations, and today the income from these sectors is much higher than it was from bamboo logging. In general, in many regions of China, income from tourism and green industries significantly exceeds previous earnings. These processes can now also be observed in the neighboring Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where in recent years there has been explosive growth in domestic tourism, especially with a cultural and ecological focus. In 2024, 302 million people visited the region, which is 14 percent more compared to 2023.

Seventh, which seems to be of great importance for cooperation with Central Asia, is the modernization of agriculture with a focus on ecology. This includes combating chemical soil and water pollution, implementing advanced agricultural technologies, supporting organic farming, and agro-ecosystems. The total amount of chemical fertilizers used in the country has been decreasing for seven consecutive years.

China actively shares its experience and technologies in the field of "green" agriculture with other countries, especially within the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative. For example, Chinese experts developed a high-yield rice variety adapted to local conditions in Nigeria, which contributes to ensuring food security in developing countries.

As for promoting the environmental agenda within international cooperation, this topic is extremely broad and interesting for coverage. Given the theme of this conference, it seems appropriate to focus on formats such as the "Ecological Community with a shared future for mankind" and the "Green Silk road."

The "Ecological community with a shared future for mankind" is not so much a separate concept but rather a global ideological framework in which ecology is seen as a common responsibility and duty of all humanity, rather than of individual countries. As is well known, the idea of a "community with a shared future" was first voiced by Xi Jinping in 2013, and in 2017, it was augmented with an ecological component as a key element of this community during the 19th National Congress of the CPC. In 2018, the idea was incorporated into the CPC Charter and the Constitution of the People's Republic of China. Now, China actively promotes this approach at global forums such as the UN, G20, and climate change summits. Since 2021, this concept has become part of the global development initiative.

As for the term "Green Silk road," this is not a separate project either, but rather an ecological dimension of the "Belt and Road" initiative. This term was first introduced 10 years ago in 2015 at the China-Arab Environmental Forum. At that time, it was announced that the initiative would be made eco-friendly and sustainable. The priorities outlined included combating pollution, developing renewable energy sources, and transferring green technologies.

In 2017, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment developed the "Green Standards for the Belt and Road," which define ecological requirements for investment projects under the Initiative, including environmental impact assessments, biodiversity protection, and carbon footprint reduction. In 2023-2024, over 50 percent of energy projects within the Belt and Road Initiative were related to renewable energy sources. Under China's auspices, the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition was established, comprising more than 40 countries and over 150 organizations.

The Green Silk road strengthens China's image as a global leader in sustainable development and offers a "green alternative" to Western investment models and global ESG standards, especially for countries in the Global South. For example, it serves as an alternative to...

In 2023, Chinese overseas investments reached a record level, despite a general decline in global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows by 2 percent. China's share grew to 11 percent, and the key driver of this growth was the clean and renewable energy sector.

Thus, it can be noted that China's global leadership is strengthening not only as a consumer but also as an investor in the global and regional "green" economy. In recent years, global supply chains have undergone transformation, as Chinese companies are undoubtedly becoming key players in the production and distribution of renewable energy equipment.

The "China – Central Asia community with a shared future", announced almost two years ago at the Xi'an Forum, also places special emphasis on promoting the interconnectedness of digital and green infrastructure. Moreover, an agreement was reached on the possible establishment of the Green project database.

In addition, a decision was made on the joint development of "smart" agriculture, exchange of experiences in implementing water-saving, green, and other high-efficiency technologies, and advanced practices in this field. 

Furthermore, the summit declaration specifically mentioned the intention to strengthen cooperation in hydropower, solar, wind energy, and other renewable sources, deepen cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, as well as implement projects using green technologies and clean energy sources.

To be specific, it is important to note that in 2021, the Green Finance Center of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) became the regional office of the Green Investment Principles (GIP) for the Belt and Road Initiative in Central Asia. GIP was initiated by the Green Finance Committee of the China Society for Finance and Banking and the Green Finance Initiative of the City of London. The aim of GIP is to promote sustainable investment and develop green finance markets in the countries participating in the initiative. The Green Finance Center actively cooperates with Chinese financial institutions, including the China Development Bank and the China Construction Bank, to attract investment in green projects in Kazakhstan and the region.

As for specific projects, the most notable one in Kazakhstan is the Zhanatas wind power plant -- one of the largest renewable energy projects in Central Asia, located near the town of Zhanatas in the Zhambyl Region. The wind farm was commissioned in 2021, and the second phase was launched in 2024. As part of the expansion, 21 new wind turbines with a capacity of 4.8 MW each were installed, increasing the total installed capacity of the Zhanatas wind power plant to 200 MW. The wind farm was built with Chinese investment as a joint venture involving China Power International Holding Limited (CPIH) and Visor Kazakhstan.

Also noteworthy is the “Nurgisa 100 MW Solar Park,” located near the city of Konaev in the Almaty Region. The photovoltaic power station was commissioned in 2023. The project was implemented within the framework of cooperation between Kazakhstani and Chinese investors, with the main investor being the Chinese company Universal Energy Co., Ltd. The total cost of the project amounted to 27.7 billion tenge.

Another project is the Turgusun hydropower plant (HPP), which has been in operation since 2021. It is located on the Turgusun river in the East Kazakhstan Region. It became the first joint hydropower project between Kazakhstan and China within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. The general contractor was China International Water & Electric Corporation (CWE), a subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation. The launch of the Turgusun HPP significantly reduced the electricity shortage in the East Kazakhstan Region, providing the region with a stable and environmentally friendly energy source. Furthermore, the project contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the strengthening of the country's energy security.

In 2023, Uzbekistan and China signed an agreement on the construction of 11 solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 4.8 GW worth 4.4 billion dollars. Chinese companies expressed their readiness to invest 2 billion dollars in renewable energy projects with a capacity of 2 GW in the Jizzakh and Tashkent Regions. It is expected that these power plants will generate 5.2 billion kWh of electricity per year and save 1.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

In addition, within the framework of the " The Program on the transition to a “green” economy and ensuring “green” growth in the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030," China is preparing to participate in the construction of the Naryn HPP cascade in the Namangan Region and the Aigain HPP cascade in the Bostanlyk District of the Tashkent Region.

Tajikistan is also implementing the "Green Economy Development Strategy for 2023-2027," within which China is a key partner, having already invested over 5.3 billion dollars in the country's energy infrastructure. Among the largest projects are the construction of solar power plants with a capacity of up to 1000 MW in the free economic zones of Pyandzh and Dangara, as well as solar power plants in the Sughd Region. Moreover, with China’s involvement, key energy facilities have been modernized and built, including the Dushanbe TPP-2 and high-voltage transmission lines. Chinese companies such as PowerChina, TBEA, and China Datang are actively participating in projects aimed at implementing Tajikistan’s green economy strategy through the development of renewable energy and improved energy efficiency.

Thus, China is modernizing its growth model based on high environmental standards. This is the essence and strict requirement for changes in energy, finance, infrastructure, agriculture, and consumption. It is also fundamentally important that China is confidently becoming a global leader in both the consumption and production of green technologies. It is a key investor and initiator of global initiatives, including as an alternative to the West.

Today, we see that China's international cooperation -- including with the countries of Central Asia -- is increasingly being built on green standards. China acts both as an investor and as a driver of development. The China-Central Asia community with a shared future has great potential for achieving green modernization in the region and for jointly addressing energy and environmental challenges.

Auther: Tatyana Kaukenova, Director of the "Laoshi" Educational Center, Kazakhstan

Source: Speech at the International Forum “Chinese Modernization and the China–Central Asia Community with a Shared Future”