Successful case study

In today's world, the pressing problems are the provision of sustainable energy, climate change, the improvement of health systems, and to address the issue of water scarcity. Energy is a key element for sustainable development. The energy system has been based on fossil fuels, which, due to their characteristics, are not sustainable.

A primary role of governments is the promotion of technological advancement with the intention that the benefits reach all sectors of society. Information and communication technologies are instrumental to balancing short- and long-term interests, and thus act according to the solution of mediate problems. The government plays a decisive role in investing in science and technology, regulating the consequences of adverse technologies and setting an example by buying environmentally friendly products.

The case of China is particularly interesting. Its large population has been an asset, but sometimes also a limitation for development. The government has a great responsibility to ensure there is enough food and everything else people need and it has the imperative of launching economic reforms to lead the country toward the development goals set, and to place it in its rightful place on the global stage. The Chinese leaders have understood that only development driven by technological innovation is the means to advance and achieve the desired goals of growth, improvement of the standard of living of the population and care for the environment. In the second decade of the 21st century, technological innovation has driven vertiginous changes in the Chinese economy and society.

The Chinese government recognizes the importance of setting goals and achieving them. Air pollution levels fell by 40 percent from 2013 to 2020, and emphasis was also placed on the protection of natural reserves and the development of efficient and sustainable transportation that includes electric vehicles and clean energy infrastructure. In 2023, China's clean energy sector was the engine of GDP growth, contributing around one-fifth of China's 5.2 percent GDP growth. Electrically powered cars produced by Chinese companies have been a key factor in eliminating polluting gases in large cities.

In the case of Mexico, in 2012 Congress approved the law on climate change which embodies the commitment to reduce polluting emissions. However, it has not been easy to meet the set goals, for several reasons, among them, the emphasis placed by the Mexican government since 2018 on giving priority to projects that emphasize the construction of refineries and the production of fossil fuels.

Chinese advances in clean energy development are recognized by Latin American countries, including Mexico. In September 2024, the Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum was held, attended by representatives from many countries and Mexico was the guest of honor. It was an opportunity to share China's advances in the sector and a boost to programs that aim to promote cooperation with these countries in the development of clean technologies.

China and Mexico signed a memorandum of understanding in 2022 to promote investments in ecological development, and Chinese companies have been investing in renewable energy generation in Mexico. Huawei has offered a "technology for nature" program to protect biodiversity in an area of 690 square kilometers, in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. In April 2024, Gezhouba Group signed contracts for two solar power plant projects with a Mexican company in Puebla, in the town of Tepeyahualco. Once completed, they will be able to supply electricity to the population.

Chinese EVs have been widely accepted in Mexico. Among the best-known brands are BYD, Jiangling Motor Corporation and Chery. Their popularity is due to their competitive price and quality.

In June 2017, the environment secretariat of the government of Mexico City participated in the International Forum for Metropolitan Clean Air and Climate Actions in Beijing. The main objective was to share strategies and policies most successful in reducing air pollution levels.

China has helped Mexico develop a system and platform that generates real-time and accurate air quality information. In July 2022, Claudia Sheinbaum, then head of the Mexico City government, was at the opening ceremony of Metro Line 1, which went through a modernization process. The Chinese company CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive was one of the companies involved, supplying 29 trains of the latest technology, along with the training of 150 Mexican technicians to guarantee their proper functioning. Another Chinese company, Yutong, supplies buses to Mexico City, as part of the city's plan to expand its trolleybus network. It placed 61 more buses for the Metrobús line, all electric, as well as another 171 diesel units, of which, 121 are for the high mountain areas in Mexico City.

The Chinese government is attentive to the development of clean energy in other countries and shows its support for initiatives that promote them. Mexico must take advantage of its relationship with China to study the methods used in the country and the policies followed to achieve sustainable development.

The author is a professor and researcher at the Center for Asian and African Studies of the College of Mexico. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.