Extensive China-U.K. Cooperation in Low-Carbon Economy

IN November 2020, the new British ambassador to China Caroline Wilson paid her first visit to south China after she took office.

- ZHOU LIN

At Shenzhen’s Lianhuashan Bus Terminal, Wilson visited the world’s first and largest pure electric bus operator — Shenzhen Bus Group Co., Ltd. She experienced a ride on a pure electric double-decker bus used for tourism and sightseeing produced by BYD Auto Co., Ltd., a Shenzhen-based Chinese automaker known for its battery-electric vehicles. Wilson said the bus was clean and beautifully designed. After paying for the ride by scanning a QR code, she boarded and mounted to the second floor of the bus to begin her “zero-emission” journey.

Watching the city scenery go by, she recalled that when she visited Shenzhen five years previously, she was deeply impressed by its hi-tech and green development. Her visit this time coincided with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. Once again, she marveled at the tremendous changes that have taken place in Shenzhen. “The city is now even more low-carbon and environmentally friendly,” she said.

Green Transport Partnership

The ambassador also attended the “Race to Zero: Green Transport Partnership Event” during her trip. The ceremony marked a new step taken by China and the U.K. on the road to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). At the same time, as leading companies in public transportation and electric vehicles, Shenzhen Bus Group and BYD both expressed their support for the “Race to Zero” initiative.