China's Green Push in Central Asia

Blanka Benkő-Kovács

Founder - Political Advisor, International Security and Defence Policy Expert

China has long been criticised for not being green enough. Not pursuing the global climate goals, while continuously emitting more and more GHG. For years, much of the international debate – especially in the West – framed China primarily as the world's largest polluter, often overlooking the country's distinct development priorities and its own evolving approach to the green transition. Because a lot has changed since President Xi Jinping first mentioned his "clear waters and green mountains" endeavor. The concept has since grown into a foundational doctrine guiding China's green transition and sustainable development initiatives, which now the country successfully exports to outbalance any major competitors in terms of the green transition. This article provides a broad overview of China's green ambitions in Central Asia.