Daniel Andrews, former Premier of the Australian state of Victoria, has commended China's impressive achievements in its green transition, highlighting that China and Australia can both benefit from cooperation in this area.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Beijing on March 20, ahead of the 2025 China Development Forum scheduled to be held on March 23-24, Andrews stressed that wind, solar, and battery storage are now key drivers of future development, highlighting China's world-leading advancements on these fronts.
"And if you look at China's record, massive investments, and a big switch, a very big switch, one that I don't think China quite gets the international credit and acclaim for that it should get. You've been on a very long journey. There's still a further distance to travel, like all of us, but partnership between Australia and China can be critical in us making that energy transition and in that China completing that energy transition as well," said the former state premier.
The year 2024 has seen accelerated efforts in China's green transition, as the world's second-largest economy continues to prioritize green growth.
The newly installed capacity of renewable energy in 2024 accounted for 86 percent of China's total newly installed power capacity, while the cumulative installed capacity of renewable energy made up a record high of 56 percent of the nation's total, according to data released from the National Energy Administration (NEA).
Australia can benifet from China's "long journey" of green energy transition: former state premier
Russia and the United States have agreed to ensure the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, provided that sanctions were eased on Russia's agricultural and food trade, the Kremlin said Tuesday.
The Kremlin said the agreement includes ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, the non-use of force, and preventing commercial ships from being used for military purposes, with inspections in place to enforce this.
It also added that the United States will help in restoring Russia's access to global markets for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lowering shipping insurance costs, and improving access to ports and international payment systems.
The agreement will enter into force after a series of sanctions and restrictions related to its agricultural and food trade were lifted, the Kremlin noted.
The move would include lifting Western sanctions on the Russian Agricultural Bank, which services agricultural businesses, and reconnecting the bank to the SWIFT international messaging system.
Russia has also listed in the conditions the removal of restrictions on its food and fertilizer producers and exporters, on the servicing of related Russian-flagged vessels in ports, and on the related agricultural machinery supplies to Russia.
The Kremlin statement came after Russian and U.S. representatives wrapped up their Monday's talks in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, where both sides sought arrangements for the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.
Russia and Ukraine signed separately with Türkiye and the United Nations the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul in July 2022, which secured the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from Black Sea ports.
As a parallel agreement, Russia and the UN signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports.
On July 17, 2023, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea deal, citing unfulfilled commitments to the Russian part.
Kremlin says Russia, U.S. agree to ensure implementing Black Sea initiative
