China Pledges to Not Build New Coal-fired Power Projects Abroad

In a bid to deal with the climate change issue and limit the financing of coal plants in the developing world, China's leader Xi Jinping pledged on Tuesday that China would not build new coal-fired power projects abroad, according to the UN press release.

Lately, China has been under heavy diplomatic pressure to put an end to its coal financing overseas because it could make it easier for the world to stay on course to meet the goals of the Paris climate agreement to reduce carbon emissions.

This announcement came after South Korea and Japan have similarly confirmed this approach earlier this year, and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and U.S. climate envoy John Kerry have urged China to follow the lead of its Asian counterparts.

In his pre-recorded video address at the annual U.N. gathering, Xi pointed out China's peaceful intentions in international relations."China will step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy, and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad."

Meanwhile, environmental experts also pointed out that "if China will implement this type of approach, then it would contribute to ensuring a stable and peaceful hemisphere."