Hong Kong Economic Herald:

How should we look at the pressure of achieving peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality targets ("dual carbon" targets) on economic operations? Some places are taking more radical measures to reduce energy consumption, such as restricting production on high-energy-consuming enterprises. Take coal power as an example, if the output limit is too large in the short term, it may cause instability in the supply of coal power, which would lead to power shortages in some regions, and also affect stable economic growth. How do you think local governments should handle the relationship between green transformation and stable growth? Thank you.

Liu Aihua:

Thank you for asking. Regarding the impact of the "dual carbon" targets on the economy in the short term, I think the current Chinese economy has shifted from a stage of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development. Peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality are not only our solemn commitment to the world, but also an inevitable requirement for high-quality development, and the only way to make progress in further modernization. Based on our current stage of development, we are still the largest developing country in the world and have not yet completed the process of industrialization. Given this, achieving peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality is indeed a very heavy task with a lot of pressure.

We should realize that promoting green transformation and development may curb the short-term growth of some high-energy-consuming and high-emission industries. But at the same time, green transformation and development will also create new demands and give birth to new industries. Green industries such as energy conservation, environmental protection, and clean energy, will create new development opportunities. The green transformation and upgrading of traditional industries will also create huge market demands, so we should still seize this historical opportunity, actively respond to challenges, and promote China's economy to move steadily forward. Thank you.