Wang Shi, founder and honorary chairman of Vanke and founder of “C-Team,” giving speech at the China Pavilion Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Global Climate Action Summit on Sept. 12.  (Photo: Ryan Yaoran Yu)

San Francisco (People's Daily) -The 2018 Global Climate Action Summit concluded on Friday. It was seen as a success for climate change advocates in California, China, and around the world since major progress and promises were cemented on climate action goals during the event’s three-day run.

The event, held in San Francisco, had more than 25 sessions, 325 affiliate events, and 500 major climate commitments, aimed at enhancing cooperation for tackling global climate change at various levels.

California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 100 into law on Monday, which will set the goal of generating 100 percent of the state’s electricity from carbon-free sources by 2045.

Xie Zhenhua giving opening remarks during China Pavilion on Sep. 14. (Photo: Ryan Yaoran Yu)

The China Pavilion was also a hotspot during the summit, attracting attention from media outlets around the world. The theme of the China Pavilion on Friday was “Corporate Climate Innovation.” Xie Zhenhua, special representative for Climate Change Affairs of China, and Wang Shi, founder and honorary chairman of Vanke and founder of “C-Team,” made the remarks for the last day’s meeting. 

Wang said Chinese companies and nongovernment organizations are playing a bigger role in global climate actions, and their voice will be heard through more international events. 

“The success of my business relies on Chinese people, and I believe it’s time for me to pay back,” Wang said to People's Daily app. “Climate change is not affecting you and me, it is about the future of the whole world.”

Xie said that global climate action cannot rely solely on the government and that Chinese companies should become participants, contributors, and leaders for climate actions.

Xie said he was glad to see more Chinese companies had their voice heard by the international community during the global climate summit. He said it injects positive energy into Chinese society and it shows China’s determination to build a community with shared future for mankind.

Xie Zhenhua, special representative for Climate Change Affairs of China, giving speech at the press conference of China Pavilion on Sept. 14. (Photo: Ryan Yaoran Yu)

Although Sino-US relations are rocky at the moment, sub-national cooperation between local regions of China and US are still in place. Xie said both sides have a strong willingness to work together in term of clean energy and environmental protection projects.

Xie stressed that in recent years, China has made remarkable progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and China's renewable energy registered an installed capacity of 650 million kilowatts in 2017 which is equal to 30 percent of renewable energy installed capacity worldwide.