At the Net Zero Finance Innovation Summit on Monday, the Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang underscored the urgent need for global action on climate change and biodiversity loss, pointing to London's recent high temperatures as a clear warning. 

The Ambassador criticized the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and its tariff disputes, which have hindered global economic and climate progress, urging nations to uphold multilateralism and the Paris Agreement's goals.

China has emerged as a leader in green development, the Ambassador noted.

Over the past three years, China has transformed its industrial and energy sectors, with non-fossil energy now comprising nearly 40 percent of electricity production and renewable energy accounting for 57.3 percent of installed capacity.

Electric vehicles and green industries are driving economic growth, while China's afforestation efforts contribute a quarter of the world's new green areas.

Chinese technology has lowered clean energy costs, aiding Global South nations in their low-carbon transitions.

The Ambassador emphasized China's commitment to green finance, highlighting new policies and the expanding scale of its green finance sector.

The UK-China Green Finance Centre, led by the City of London and the China Society for Finance and Banking, has achieved significant milestones, including Chinese banks issuing green bonds in the UK.

In April 2025, China issued RMB 6 billion (GBP 624.38 million) in green sovereign bonds on the London Stock Exchange, a historic first that strengthens UK-China cooperation on sustainability.

Calling for deeper collaboration, the Ambassador urged the UK to reject Cold War-era views of China as a "threat."

Enhanced cooperation in trade, finance, and technology would support the UK's economic goals and net-zero ambitions, the Ambassador said, dismissing claims that Chinese firms harm the UK economy.

Instead, these companies create jobs and drive mutual growth. China welcomes UK businesses to invest in its market and expects fair treatment for Chinese firms in return.