Beijing's green efforts to benefit world

China's further development of the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the country's pursuit of green transition in economic growth model will benefit the world, especially the development in Africa, said Siddharth Chatterjee, the United Nations resident coordinator to China.

Chatterjee made the remarks on the sidelines of a forum in Madrid after Beijing concluded its Central Economic Work Conference on Dec 12. The meeting has set nine key tasks for the Chinese government to focus on next year, among which include solid progress in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

"I have seen firsthand the effects of the BRI and how it has transformed the infrastructure landscape in parts of Africa," said Chatterjee, who worked in Kenya for five years before taking office in China in 2021.

"I think it's very wise for China to invest in Africa, and I would say all countries should do the same. It is where the future of consumption and production is going to happen," he said, adding that China's experience of investment in human capital, infrastructure, and business environment can help Africa to achieve modernization.

Highlighting the fact that China has lifted around 800 million people out of poverty and feeding one-fifth of the world's population with just 9 percent of the world's arable land, Chatterjee said the potential for China-Africa cooperation is huge.

"What China has achieved in the last four decades is the kind of knowledge we need to share with other countries still grappling with poverty, with hunger, and with the issues on public health," he said, citing figures that Africa has 60 percent of the world's uncultivated arable land and its population is estimated to reach 2.5 billion in 2050.

"The investment that China is making now is absolutely excellent. I can vouch for the fact that I've seen the full effects of the Belt and Road initiative, as well as the Global Development Initiative," he added.

The green transition of China's social and economic growth was also highlighted in the tasks laid out by the Central Economic Work Conference, including deepening institutional reform for ecological conservation.

Chatterjee commended the green development initiatives launched by the government and said they also contributed to the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.

Speaking of the prospect of China's economy in 2025, Chatterjee said: "I have full confidence in China's economic growth. I think the foundations are strong, and I believe that by next year, we will be seeing growth beyond 5 percent very easily. I'm very confident of it."