The Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference opens in the coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province on Oct 23. [Photo/Dazhong News]

The Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference opened in the coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province on Oct 23.

With the tagline "Together for an innovative and win-win future", the conference brought together energy ministers, diplomats, and high-level representatives from 27 countries, as well as leaders from four international organizations and over 600 representatives from home and abroad. The participants gathered to explore practical and feasible new pathways for green energy development and to jointly create a new chapter in energy cooperation.

Zhang Jianhua, head of the National Energy Administration, stated that in recent years, China has been steadfast in promoting energy development transformation with green, low-carbon, innovative, and open cooperation approaches. The country has become a global leader in renewable energy, nuclear power technology, and the production of photovoltaic components and wind power equipment.

Zhang added that in the future, China hopes to continue promoting green and low-carbon energy transformation and cooperating in innovation in green energy technology to build energy cooperation partnerships with countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for a greener and more sustainable future.

Zhou Naixiang, governor of Shandong, said in his speech that Shandong is a major producer and consumer of energy. The province has been actively implementing the dual carbon strategy, promoting energy transformation, and enhancing clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy systems. It is committed to deepening cooperation with BRI countries to jointly advance green symbiosis, industrial prosperity, innovation, and dialogue, as well as promoting clean and efficient use of fossil energy and the development of new and renewable energy sources.

Zeng Zanrong, Party secretary of Qingdao, highlighted in his speech that Qingdao is an important coastal city and a key node city of the BRI. The city has made significant progress in developing new energy industries such as photovoltaics, wind power, and hydrogen energy. Qingdao will leverage the meeting to expand international energy cooperation, enhance the role of the Qingdao International Energy Exchange, and contribute to building a community of shared future for energy cooperation of the BRI.