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Letters | Who will protect the planet and our children from Europe’s China tariffs?
- Readers discuss how anti-China trade measures threaten the world’s climate commitments, responsible tourism to Xiaohongshu hotspots, and Hong Kong’s most talked-about couple
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Is the intention behind the Paris Agreement, the international treaty on climate change, genuinely to reduce emissions and save the globe from overheating? This question arises from recent developments in producing and installing systems designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
China is on track to meet its climate goals, and in fact, it is ahead of schedule. This progress is due to massive investments in the production and installation of solar panels, solar farms, wind generators on land and offshore, and batteries for electric vehicles, scooters and bicycles. China’s efforts have led to significantly cleaner air, bluer skies and healthier living conditions.
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Climate change knows no borders, and the Paris Agreement is a global effort involving more than 190 countries, virtually the entire world. China now sees a business opportunity in the massive production capacity it has built. This could benefit all countries, as Chinese production is technologically advanced, heavily utilising robotics. For instance, a Chinese car company can move from concept to roll-out in two years or less. We should embrace this progress wholeheartedly.
However, we in the West are not. While the West has also set climate goals, our progress is lagging behind China’s. Politicians at all levels are beginning to realise that these goals may not be met, which could result in global overheating.
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At the same time, there is a trade war between the United States and China, with Europe following in America’s footsteps. The rhetoric often includes statements like “China is a threat” and “China must be contained”. This has led to protective measures such as tariffs, amid national security and other concerns.
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