Ambassadors Dialogue on Hydrogen Energy Industry and High-Quality Development held in Foshan

The Ambassadors Dialogue, part of the “Diplomats Explore China: A Tour of Guangdong,” themed on Hydrogen Energy Industry and High-Quality Development, was held in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, on January 17, 2023. Guided by China International Communications Group (CICG), the event was hosted by the Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions, International Communication Cooperation Department under the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, CICG Center for Europe and Asia (China Pictorial Publications), Xinhua Institute and the Nanhai People’s Government of Foshan.

Lu Cairong, vice president of CICG, Li Li, director general of Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions, Su Wei, former deputy secretary-general of China’s National Development and Reform Commission and China’s former chief climate negotiator, Xu Chaoyou, director of International Communication Cooperation Department under China Center for International Economic Exchanges, Zhang Bing, deputy chairman of Foshan Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and Gu Yaohui, secretary of the CPC Nanhai District Committee attended the dialogue. The event was also participated by diplomats to China from nearly 40 countries, including Cameroon, Mali, Jordan, Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, Mongolia, and Ghana. Jiang Yonggang, president of the CICG Center for Europe and Asia (China Pictorial Publications), presided over the dialogue.

According to Chinese President Xi Jinping, embracing green and low-carbon development is an inevitable path, noted Lu Cairong. It has become a common global consensus to work together to address the challenges of climate change, promote the green transformation of productivity with technological innovation, and build a new model of high-quality development, he said, adding that nearly 50 envoys to China today gathered in Nanhai District, Foshan City, the “Capital of China’s Hydrogen Energy Industry.” By visiting research institutions and enterprises, they gained a deeper understanding of the development situation and outlook of the hydrogen energy industry in China. 

He stressed that there is broad space for global green hydrogen energy cooperation. In recent years, China has vigorously promoted the development of the hydrogen energy industry and has become the world’s largest hydrogen producer. It has cooperated with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and other countries in this sector. Lu also added that CICG is ready to work with people of insight from all walks of life to organize more international exchange activities in green energy and other fields, build a broader dialogue platform to promote the development of the global energy industry, and discuss strategies to deal with global ecological and environmental challenges. He called for jointed efforts to explore the path to global energy transformation and development, promote and make good use of the constructive dialogue achievement, and join hands on the path towards modernization.

Li Li emphasized during the dialogue that the tour in Guangdong are focused on the development of the hydrogen energy sector, a theme carefully selected based on diplomats’ demands. Recognizing the development of new energy industries as a pivotal direction for global high-quality development, Li highlighted its alignment with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision of building a global community of shared future. Diplomats visited research institutions such as the Nanhai (Foshan) Hydrogen Energy Exhibition Hall and Nanhai Xianhu Laboratory, immersing themselves in projects on hydrogen-energy related applications, waste treatment and environmental protection in the industrial park, and test-driving vehicles powered by hydrogen energy.

Having accumulated significant experience in hydrogen energy development, Guangdong continues to actively explore specific measures that embody China’s characteristics, the features of the times, and Guangdong’s unique attributes in green development. Li underscored that Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions not only provides comprehensive and high-quality services for foreign diplomatic and consular missions, as well as diplomats working and living in China, but is also dedicated to opening a window for understanding China and building a bridge for communication and friendship. In addressing China’s development and issues of concern, the Bureau strives to offer opportunities for a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China.

Li also highlighted that this event, jointly organized by the Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions, the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, the CICG, and the Xinhua Institute, received positive responses from diplomats and strong support from the Nansha District of Foshan City. The Service Bureau is eager to actively promote cooperation between Guangdong and relevant countries in the field of new energy, fostering collaboration for mutual development.

Looking ahead, Li expressed the commitment to continuing to organize more innovative, substantive, and pragmatic public diplomacy activities, responding to the expectations of resident diplomatic missions. Through in-depth two-way interactions, the Bureau aims to promote exchanges and cooperation with various countries, facilitating mutual development.

Su Wei stated that climate change stands as the most pressing challenge confronting humanity in the 21st century. He emphasized that a pivotal measure in addressing climate change is the adoption of green and low-carbon transformations. Against this backdrop, Su Wei stressed how it is imperative for the international community to collaborate, substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and expedite the transition to green and low-carbon practices.

In Su Wei’s perspective, to propel a comprehensive green transformation of the economy and society, China has implemented a series of measures. These encompass robust initiatives such as the vigorous development of renewable energy, the accelerated growth of new energy vehicles, the promotion of innovation and widespread application of new energy technologies, and active participation in international collaborations.

Highlighting the significant role of hydrogen, Su Wei explained that it serves not only as a widely applicable secondary energy source and essential industrial raw material but also as a solution for long-term energy storage within the framework of a new energy system, playing a unique role in the framework of new energies. Since the release of the Medium- and long-term plan for the development of the hydrogen energy industry (2021-2035) in March 2022, Su Wei noted that China’s hydrogen industry has experienced rapid development, with Guangdong Province and especially Foshan City taking the lead in innovating within the industry.

Zhang Bing highlighted that Foshan stands out as one of the early Chinese cities to delve into research, planning, and development of the hydrogen energy industry. It has since evolved into a pivotal hub and a pioneering demonstration area for the hydrogen energy sector, not only within the province but also on a national scale. With over 170 hydrogen energy enterprises and projects, Foshan is a rare region in China possessing a comprehensive industry chain. This encompasses the three crucial basic materials for fuel cells, five core components, system integration, and whole-vehicle production enterprises. Foshan has laid the foundation for a relatively complete hydrogen energy industry system encompassing production, storage, transportation, and utilization.

According to Zhang Bing, against the backdrop of the advancing new round of technological and digital revolution, a global energy transformation is currently underway. Foshan is committed to continually refining policies and planning, offering unwavering support to the participation of enterprises and institutions in core technologies, materials, and equipment innovation across the entire hydrogen energy industry chain. The city is actively working towards establishing more international platforms for industry exchanges.

Gu Yaohui highlights Nanhai District’s potential in modern industries, particularly in hydrogen energy. The hydrogen energy industrial clusters in Nanhai are recognized by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as characteristic industrial clusters for small and medium-sized enterprises. Since 2009, Nanhai has strategically developed its hydrogen energy industry by employing five approaches that involve activating the engine of scientific and technological innovation, exploring new ways of production, enhancing the refueling network, promoting diversified applications, and strengthening policy support. These efforts have positioned Nanhai as the only county-level area in China with eight key components of fuel cells and systems. Gu said he looked forward to taking this dialogue as an opportunity to deepen exchanges and cooperation with other countries and share development opportunities for a better future together.

Jiang Yonggang emphasized that Guangdong is at the forefront of China’s hydrogen energy industry, and Foshan is a representative city for hydrogen energy pilot and innovative development. Jiang noted that this dialogue, part of the “Diplomats Explore China: A Tour of Guangdong,” aims to promote exchanges and cooperation in the field of hydrogen energy, discussing how scientific and technological innovation can drive green productivity transformation. The goal is to build a platform for economic exchanges and cooperation between China and foreign countries.

The dialogue featured keynote speakers including Cheng Yibing, a scientist at the Foshan Xianhu Laboratory and academician of the Australian Academy of Engineering, Zhang Zhengang, former deputy secretary of the CPC Party Committee of South China University of Technology (SCUT) and second-level professor and doctoral supervisor of SCUT’s School of Business Administration, and Lei Xueya, deputy director of the Industry & Standards Research Department of the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association. During the Q&A sessions, diplomats in China engaged with experts on the theme of “Hydrogen Energy Industry and High-quality Development.” Chinese and foreign guests offered suggestions on deepening international cooperation on green energy, promoting stronger, greener and healthier global development, and fostering a new era of common prosperity.