The reaffirmation of China’s commitment to accelerating the green transition in all areas of economic and social development in an effort to build a Beautiful China stands out as one of the most consequential messages emerging from the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

There is, therefore, not only a confirmation of the course set in recent years but also a more precise articulation of China’s developmental logic: a philosophy that integrates environmental sustainability as a central and cross-cutting component of modernization.

The official communique of the fourth plenary session includes several explicit references to environmental goals and reaffirms the commitment to upholding the principle that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” This principle underscores that ecological progress is not an ancillary goal but an integral element of the nation’s long-term development strategy.

Hence, there is a clear commitment to a “green transition in all areas of economic and social development.” This entails continued efforts to “cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, pursue green development, and boost economic growth” in order to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. The plan also calls for accelerating the establishment of a new energy system, fostering eco-friendly production practices and lifestyles, and strengthening ecological security through an “ecological security shield.” Importantly, this is not limited to technology or industry – it also concerns social habits, regulation and incentives for consumers and ordinary citizens.

These measures extend beyond rhetorical commitments. The integration of economic development and environmental protection constitutes a defining element of the Beautiful China initiative.  

Consequently, a more coherent and consolidated political road map for green development has emerged, one that is poised to stimulate investment in renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and generate synergies with international (including European) partners in environmental cooperation.

Balancing economic growth, energy security and emissions reduction simultaneously will require enormous effort in the coming years to build a cleaner, more flexible and modern system capable of integrating a high share of renewables. This will demand vast amounts of capital, technology, transmission infrastructure and storage capacity – costly and complex undertakings.

The upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30) is expected to emphasize energy independence, efficiency, emissions reduction and the development of green technologies. Energy-intensive industries such as steel, metallurgy and chemicals are likely to undergo electrification, technological upgrading and gradual substitution of fossil fuels. Under this new framework, strategic industries identified as “new quality productive forces” – advanced technology, new energy and innovative materials – will receive preferential support, while sectors with high energy intensity will be required to adapt through efficiency gains, carbon capture or electrification.

China has already made remarkable progress: In 2024, clean electricity sources, led by wind and solar, met 84 percent of China’s new electricity demand. Consistent with long-standing priorities, the new plan will further promote clean transport systems and logistics optimization, as well as decarbonization in the residential sector through sustainable urban planning, the integration of green spaces and control of urban sprawl. Strengthening the ecological shield – through rural revitalization, ecosystem restoration, forest expansion, watershed and soil management – will also remain a priority.

China is a pivotal actor in the global energy transition and in green supply chains. Any progress – or delay – in Chinese environmental policies has implications for raw materials, technology flows, and international trade, as well as global climate outcomes.

From the perspective of international climate cooperation, China’s clearer commitment represents a positive signal. The country demonstrates both political will and adherence to oversight mechanisms.

China can contribute to global climate governance through its vast industrial and financial capacity by decarbonizing its expanding market mechanisms as well as its state-directed innovation policies. Together, these elements can stabilize and accelerate the global transition, which China is ready to implement with both credibility and openness. In particular, China’s large-scale deployment of renewables could have an immediate global impact by lowering the cost of access to clean technologies in other developing countries – thus accelerating the fulfillment of its global climate commitments.

Over the next five years, China may become a stabilizing and accelerating force in global climate governance, thanks to its industrial scale, financial capability and the deepening of instruments such as the national emissions trading system and green finance. Yet credibility is not China’s responsibility alone: The international community must respond pragmatically – through technical cooperation, co-financing, shared standards and facilitation of trade in clean technologies. Strengthened dialogue on carbon markets, joint alliances, improved transparency and enhanced multilateral guarantees will ensure that China’s capacity becomes a genuine driver of global progress.

As China currently occupies a pivotal position within the global green industrial chain, its influence and potential for international collaboration are substantial, making it a critical partner for stakeholders seeking to enter or expand cooperation within this market. China holds a dominant role in key manufacturing technologies, particularly through its control over a significant share of global production of solar panels and batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage. 

Moreover, China is the largest green market in the world, and the strategic priorities outlined in the upcoming five-year plan are expected to drive not only capacity expansion but also systemic innovation and infrastructure development. This ensures both scale and stable demand for manufacturers and service providers.

The combination of a vast domestic market and proactive government policies in China has fostered a highly integrated and comprehensive ecosystem, reducing implementation barriers and enhancing operational efficiency in large-scale green projects.

In the coming years, China’s green technological capacity is poised to maintain its strength and price competitiveness, thereby accelerating the global deployment of clean energy solutions. This dynamic will support global decarbonization and contribute significantly to the formation of cross-border business and institutional partnerships, enabling the international community to address climate change more effectively.

In an era marked by challenges in global climate governance, the concept of a “Beautiful China” exemplifies both political resolve and institutional innovation. Its global relevance lies not in functioning as a prescriptive model, but in demonstrating that sustainability can be institutionalized as a principle of statecraft.

“Beautiful China” represents the paradigm of ecological civilization promoted by Chinese President Xi Jinping – not merely environmental protection, but a reordering of the relationship between development and nature as a civilizational principle. The goal is to move from a logic of controlling pollution to one of harmonizing human growth with ecosystems.

Undoubtedly, this fourth plenary session’s emphasis on realizing a “Beautiful China” will strengthen the country’s environmental diplomacy and reinforce an increasingly coherent and institutionalized model of leadership – one rooted not only in economic strength but also in cultural and ethical narratives. In this, there is much for the world to learn.

The author is the founder and emeritus advisor of the China Policy Observatory in Spain. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn