China’s Position at COP26

Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend the COP26 event in Glasgow in person, nor did he send a video message. He transmitted a short written text, which was unremarkable and largely reiterated China’s standing position on these matters. He put on the brakes, by repeating that nations should “do their best according to national conditions to deliver their climate action measures.” But he also gave lip service to the COP26 goals by stating that China will “rein in the irrational development of energy-intensive and high-emissions projects,” and that they will “plan and build large wind and photovoltaic power stations.”