China promotes green energy through Karot Hydropower project under BRI

Alongside infrastructure development, the Chinese government is focused on green development of its partner countries including Pakistan involved in the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Speaking at a seminar of the 8th Session of the UN Business and Human Rights Forum focusing on ‘sustainable infrastructure,’ Zhou Taidong, from the China Center for International Knowledge on Development, said that the BRI has contributed, and will continuously contribute, to the social economic development of partner countries and the global implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

“BRI has delivered better lives to peoples of different countries. The 82 economic and trade cooperation zones within BRI framework have created nearly 300,000 local jobs,” he said, quoted Xinhua.

Citing example of Chinese investments in Pakistan, Zhou said, the Karot Hydropower Project in Pakistan, when completed, will provide clean energy for five million people.

Meanwhile, Gao Shiji, an expert from China’s Development Research Center of the State Council, said that the Chinese government has issued detailed guidelines for Chinese companies participating in BRI projects to promote green development.

China has made it clear that for investment in infrastructures, “efforts should be made to promote green and low-carbon infrastructure construction and operation management, taking into full account the impact of climate change on the construction,” he said.