China is Capable of Leading Global Climate Governance
725
according to the principles of “inclusiveness, cooperation, mutual trust, and win–win
results,” and explore open, inclusive and mutually beneficial leadership with Chinese
characteristics.
From a long-term perspective (2035–2050), China should focus on top-level
global governance design that goes beyond climate issues. In the new pattern of
global governance, China will lead and coordinate in more areas instead of being
a condescending leader in the traditional sense. Only in this way can China get all
parties actively involved, and marshal forces to solve the collective dilemma.
3 Conclusion
Generally speaking, when China initially participated in international negotiations,
it had relatively less power of speech, and mainly focused on asserting its own
rights, called for Western developed countries to fulfill their obligations to global
climate governance, and provided financial and technical support to developing countries, with the international order being mainly dominated by developed countries.
However, due to the continued increase of its carbon dioxide emissions, China was
facing unprecedented pressure from the North and South camps, and also from the
need for transformation at home. With its increasing national strength and deepening participation in international affairs, China should transit from a “participant”
to a “leader” in climate governance—an inevitable choice based on China’s current
development stage and in keeping up with the times. Therefore, China should seize
the opportunities to lead global climate governance, strive to create a clean and
stable climate environment, create opportunities for green economic development,
strengthen its soft power, and improve its status in international cooperation.
725
according to the principles of “inclusiveness, cooperation, mutual trust, and win–win
results,” and explore open, inclusive and mutually beneficial leadership with Chinese
characteristics.
From a long-term perspective (2035–2050), China should focus on top-level
global governance design that goes beyond climate issues. In the new pattern of
global governance, China will lead and coordinate in more areas instead of being
a condescending leader in the traditional sense. Only in this way can China get all
parties actively involved, and marshal forces to solve the collective dilemma.
3 Conclusion
Generally speaking, when China initially participated in international negotiations,
it had relatively less power of speech, and mainly focused on asserting its own
rights, called for Western developed countries to fulfill their obligations to global
climate governance, and provided financial and technical support to developing countries, with the international order being mainly dominated by developed countries.
However, due to the continued increase of its carbon dioxide emissions, China was
facing unprecedented pressure from the North and South camps, and also from the
need for transformation at home. With its increasing national strength and deepening participation in international affairs, China should transit from a “participant”
to a “leader” in climate governance—an inevitable choice based on China’s current
development stage and in keeping up with the times. Therefore, China should seize
the opportunities to lead global climate governance, strive to create a clean and
stable climate environment, create opportunities for green economic development,
strengthen its soft power, and improve its status in international cooperation.