China wants next month’s COP31 climate summit in Antalya to focus on putting existing promises into practice, with climate finance for developing countries at the centre of the talks. The call came from Li Gao, China’s vice minister of ecology and environment, at a press conference in Beijing on 21 October 2026, and it sets out Beijing’s priorities less than three weeks before negotiators gather in Türkiye.
Li, who will again head the Chinese delegation at the summit, said global climate governance has moved from negotiating rules to implementing them. He argued that COP31 should help countries, particularly developing economies, deliver on their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The China COP31 climate finance message is therefore framed as a test of delivery, not of new pledges.
China COP31 climate finance: the roadmap at the centre
At the heart of China’s position is a roadmap for the climate finance goal agreed in 2024: developed countries are to marshal 300 billion US dollars a year for the developing world by 2035. China is calling for detailed discussions at COP31 on how that goal will be met, and for tripling adaptation finance so vulnerable countries can better prepare for climate impacts that are already arriving.
China also wants the summit to advance an international mechanism for a just transition, to help countries, especially developing countries, manage the economic and social challenges of shifting to greener economies and to narrow the gap between the Global North and South. Nearly 100 agenda items are expected under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, covering mitigation, adaptation, finance and just transition.
Old problems and a new problem
Li described two kinds of challenges for the summit. The old problems, in his words, are developed countries’ insufficient emission reductions and insufficient financial support. The new problem, he said, is unilateralism and protectionism undermining global collective efforts, a phrase widely understood as a criticism of trade measures against clean technology.
China is by far the world’s largest producer of the solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and electric cars needed to cut emissions, according to Reuters reporting on the press conference. The United States has imposed steep tariffs on Chinese solar products and electric cars, while the European Union has done the same for autos, imposed restrictions on some solar components and is investigating a major Chinese wind company for unfair trade, Reuters reported.
Trade, technology and the flow of green goods
Against that background, Li said COP31 should encourage greater dialogue on climate-related trade issues and support the free flow of green and low-carbon technologies and products. He added that China would give a firm response to smears or attacks against it, Reuters reported.
Asked whether China supported Türkiye’s push for a global agreement on electrification, Li said the objective was in line with Chinese policy but stopped short of explicitly supporting the push, according to Reuters. The exchange underlines how the Antalya talks will balance host-country initiatives with the negotiating positions of major economies.
What happens in Antalya
COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026, with a World Leaders Summit scheduled for 11 and 12 November. Türkiye holds the COP presidency and leads the Action Agenda, while Australia leads the formal negotiations, under the partnership agreed between the two countries.
Türkiye’s presidency has described COP31 as an implementation conference, focused on turning existing commitments into concrete and measurable outcomes. Its announced initiatives include increasing electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35 percent by 2035, reducing energy intensity in buildings by at least 25 percent and cutting the rate of growth in global waste generation by half. Related coverage of Türkiye’s implementation focus is available in Türkiye presents COP31 as implementation conference, and the European Parliament’s own COP31 mandate is covered in European Parliament adopts COP31 mandate.
Key facts
- COP31 takes place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026, with a leaders’ summit on 11 and 12 November.
- China’s delegation will again be headed by Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment Li Gao.
- China seeks a roadmap for the 300 billion US dollars a year climate finance goal for 2035 and a tripling of adaptation finance.
- China also seeks a just transition mechanism and freer trade in green and low-carbon technologies.
- Türkiye holds the COP presidency and leads the Action Agenda; Australia leads the negotiations.
