Nigeria Times

By Kou Jiangze, People’s Daily

The carbon market is a crucial policy instrument for leveraging market mechanisms to address climate change and accelerate the transition toward a green, low-carbon economy.

In a significant step toward strengthening the nation’s commitment to climate action, China has unveiled a guideline to accelerate the country’s green and low-carbon transition and strengthen the construction of the national carbon trading market.

This document represents the first central government document dedicated to the carbon market, providing robust institutional frameworks and enhanced capacity-building support. The goal is to cultivate a more effective, dynamic, and internationally influential carbon market.

China has already established a national carbon emissions trading market for major emission sources to fulfill mandatory reduction obligations. Furthermore, a voluntary greenhouse gas reduction trading market has been developed to encourage self-reduction efforts by the broader society.

“These two markets operate independently but are connected through an offsetting mechanism that allows the surrender of allowances. Together, they form a unified national carbon market system that ensures full coverage of emitters,” explained Xia Yingxian, an official with China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

In March this year, the mandatory carbon market expanded for the first time to include the steel, cement, and aluminum smelting industries – sectors responsible for over 60 percent of China’s total carbon dioxide emissions. 

Since 2023, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in collaboration with relevant departments, has issued six methodologies, including those for afforestation carbon sinks and offshore wind power, progressively expanding the voluntary carbon market. 

As of August 22 this year, the cumulative trading volume in the mandatory market had exceeded 680 million tons, with a transaction value of 47.41 billion yuan ($6.66 billion). The voluntary market recorded cumulative trading of 2.49 million tons of certified voluntary emission reductions, totaling 210 million yuan.

To reinforce institutional development, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment and relevant departments have introduced more than 30 regulations and technical standards, establishing a multi-tiered and relatively comprehensive regulatory framework for the carbon market. Authorities have intensified supervision of data quality, employing digital tools to issue early warnings on potential data risks and cracking down on the falsification of carbon emissions data. 

“After years of development, China has established a preliminary carbon market system with distinctive Chinese characteristics. A carbon pricing mechanism centered around the carbon market is steadily taking shape,” said Yan Gang, head of the South China Institute of Environmental Sciences under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. 

The acceleration of carbon market development will allow the market to play a decisive role in resource allocation, stimulate widespread participation in green and low-carbon practices, and spur innovation in low-carbon, zero-carbon, and negative-carbon technologies. This is crucial for fulfilling emission reduction responsibilities, achieving dual carbon targets, and reducing overall abatement costs for society.

The newly released guideline outlines a clear “timetable” and “roadmap” for the future development of the national carbon market.

From the perspective of the mandatory carbon market, by 2027, the coverage will gradually extend beyond the existing power generation, steel, cement, and aluminum industries to include other major industrial emitters.

In the voluntary carbon market, which currently includes renewable energy, methane reduction, energy efficiency, and forestry carbon sinks, new areas such as biomass utilization, solid waste treatment will be incorporated, with comprehensive sector coverage by 2027. By 2030, China aims to establish a voluntary carbon market that is trustworthy, transparent, standardized, widely accessible, and aligned with international standards.

The management of emissions allowances is essential for ensuring the efficient and orderly operation of the Chinese national carbon market and achieving policy objectives. The guideline stresses the need for a predictable and transparent system for carbon quota allocation.

According to Xia, China currently adopts an intensity-based approach to allowance allocation. Moving forward, in line with the “dual carbon” goals, the nation will gradually shift to a cap-based system. By 2027, industries with relatively stable emissions will face absolute caps, with a pre-established national emissions cap allocated to enterprises through a top-down approach.

At the same time, China will explore both free and paid allocation methods, establish an allowance reserve, and introduce a market adjustment mechanism to balance supply and demand, thereby enhancing market stability, liquidity, and risk management capabilities.

By advancing the development of its carbon market, China will combine an effective market with proactive government policies to ensure a vibrant yet well-regulated system, thereby unleashing green productivity, creating new quality productive forces, and driving the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development.

By Wang Yunna, People’s Daily

“I used to enjoy seafood with beer when I was younger, but for years, I haven’t dared to indulge,” said 63-year-old Lu Ping, diagnosed with gout eight years ago. “Because of tophi, my big toe joint swelled so severely that even the slightest movement caused excruciating pain. I had to wear size-52 shoes.”

During a hospital visit, Lu learned that a new innovative drug was undergoing clinical trials and immediately signed up. “The pain from gout attacks was unbearable, and I wanted to try any potential solution,” he explained. 

Now, he takes one pill a day, under the close supervision of his doctors, who monitor safety and assess the drug’s effectiveness by testing his uric acid levels every month or two. 

The new drug was developed by ApicHope Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., based in Guangzhou, the capital of south China’s Guangdong province. Gouty arthritis is intensely painful, and patients have a significant demand for effective treatments. When reviewing global research on gout therapy, the company’s R&D team discovered that there had never been an oral medication specifically designed to dissolve tophi.

“Developing new drugs is highly challenging, but if we can solve this problem, we will fill a major gap in the market,” said Li Hanxiong, chairman of ApicHope.

The process of identifying a potential compound involves screening between 5,000 and 10,000 molecules. “It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack,” explained Yang Wenqian, head of a research institute under ApicHope. 

An even greater challenge was pinpointing a viable drug target. “Much like aiming an arrow, a drug only works if it targets specific proteins or nucleic acids within the body. However, these targets are hidden among trillions of cells. There are no shortcuts, only patience and persistence,” Yang added.

After several attempts, the team identified a urate transporter protein. Normally, most uric acid filtered by the kidneys is reabsorbed into the bloodstream through this transporter, boosting the body’s antioxidant and anti-infection capacity. 

“By inhibiting this transporter, could we lower uric acid levels in gout patients?” the team wondered.

Building on this hypothesis, the team began developing urate transporter inhibitors while optimizing molecular structures to minimize side effects and enhance efficacy. 

At the end of 2022, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved clinical trials for the drug to ensure its safety and effectiveness before it could be released to the market. More than 1,500 patients have since participated in the trials. 

“Leveraging the wealth of top-tier hospitals in Guangzhou, we partnered with local doctors and doctors to accelerate research, clinical testing, and market entry,” said Li.

Beyond medical resources, Guangzhou has also rolled out supportive policies to foster a robust biopharmaceutical industry ecosystem. The combined efforts of the government and enterprises have significantly accelerated the development and approval of innovative drugs.

The city has introduced policy measures to support the high-quality growth of the biopharmaceutical sector, invested in global science initiatives such as the human cell atlas and human proteome project, and now hosts 45 institutions certified under good clinical practice standards. These efforts create a comprehensive support system covering the entire innovation process.

“Our new drug follows a model where R&D is carried out in the Greater Bay Area, while regulatory filings are made globally,” Li noted. The NMPA’s Greater Bay Area branch has designated the drug as a priority project, providing early-stage guidance in clinical research to accelerate the approval process. 

With strong infrastructure, sound policies, and a supportive environment, companies are better able to attract top talent, refine their R&D and commercialization systems, and bring new treatments to market more rapidly. 

“Our company has 15 innovative drugs in the pipeline, with more soon to move into mass production,” he added.

Recently, China’s National Healthcare Security Administration and the National Health Commission issued 16 measures to promote the high-quality development of innovative drugs, injecting fresh momentum into the industry.

Since last year, the NMPA has piloted reforms in 11 provincial-level branches, cutting the review period for supplemental drug applications requiring verification from 200 working days to just 60. The agency is also exploring a 30-day approval timeline for priority innovative drug trials. 

In the first half of this year alone, China approved 43 innovative drugs, up 59 percent year on year, demonstrating that reform dividends are driving industry growth.

Over the past five years, China has approved 210 innovative drugs, maintaining rapid growth. Today, China accounts for about 30 percent of the world’s innovative drugs in development.

By Wang Yunshan, People’s Daily

A zero-carbon park refers to an industrial park that, through coordinated planning, design, technology, and management, reduces carbon emissions from both production and daily life to near-zero levels, while laying the groundwork for achieving net-zero in the long run.

As China enters a decisive stage in meeting its carbon peak target, the country faces mounting challenges, such as integrating renewable energy into the national grid and decarbonizing energy-intensive industries. Against this backdrop, zero-carbon parks are emerging as an important tool for regions seeking to accelerate green transformation.

Cutting energy use: Transitioning to green power based on local conditions

Just three kilometers from the Dafeng Port Zero-Carbon Industrial Park in Yancheng, east China’s Jiangsu province, a 13.76 MW solar power plant is steadily delivering renewable electricity.

“The green power generated here is first transmitted to the Jincheng 110 kV substation, then routed along two paths: one delivers electricity directly to the zero-carbon park, while the surplus is fed into the broader grid. When renewable output falls short, the main grid steps in to ensure stable supply,” explained Wu Huilu, head of the Dafeng Port Zero-Carbon Industrial Park. 

According to Wu, more than 85 percent of the park’s electricity consumption is expected to be traceable to green power sources by 2030.

In north China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, the Ordos Mengsu Economic Development Zone is also accelerating its energy transition. A local zero-carbon park has established an independent distribution network and a 220 kV substation directly connected to the park, supported by a 385 MW wind-solar-storage project. Once operational, the facility will provide 900 million kWh of green electricity directly to the park each year.

To address the inherent volatility of renewable generation, the Ordos park has deployed an intelligent Internet of Things-based control system that links energy supply with industrial demand.

“This system connects upstream power generation facilities, which can forecast output within milliseconds, to downstream enterprises where real-time electricity use is tracked. By integrating data across generation, grid, load, and storage, the system allows renewable output to align more closely with flexible and dynamic demand,” said Wang Yao, general manager of the Ordos branch of Envision Group, a Chinese green tech company.

Restructuring Industries: Enhancing green competitiveness

At the Yancheng plant of Lianxin Iron and Steel, a 70-ton electric arc furnace is slated for replacement by a more efficient 100-ton model.

Steel and paper-making companies have traditionally been the largest energy consumers in the Dafeng Port Zero-Carbon Park. “Upgrading just this one furnace will allow the company to consume 60,000 MWh of green electricity annually, reducing carbon emissions by more than 260,000 tons,” Wu noted.

Creating a “green cell” requires more than improving existing industries but cultivating new industries with low energy consumption, minimal pollution, and high added value.

In the Ordos park, industries such as photovoltaics, hydrogen fuel cells, and green hydrogen equipment manufacturing are expanding rapidly. By integrating upstream and downstream players in joint de-carbonization efforts, the park enables companies to use clean energy to make low-carbon products, creating a virtuous cycle in which green energy attracts green industries, and green industries, in turn, drive greater consumption of green energy.

Strengthening management: Leveraging AI to improve smart oversight

At the carbon management center in the Dafeng Port Zero-Carbon Industrial Park, a large digital screen displays real-time energy and carbon data on emissions, electricity purchases, and energy consumption of key enterprises.

“In 2023, we established Jiangsu Carbon Intelligence Operations Co., Ltd. and launched a smart energy-carbon management platform. It provides localized and customized carbon management services to enterprises, including carbon accounting, green power and certificate acquisition, and carbon offsetting,” Wu explained. The park is exploring the use of AI technology to forecast and manage carbon emissions in real time, further advancing intelligent management.

Meanwhile, the Ordos park has achieved near-zero wastewater discharge. Through a system of pre-treatment, biological processing, advanced treatment, and membrane filtration, it recycles 95 percent of its wastewater, saving about 34 million cubic meters of freshwater annually.

From renewable energy deployment and industrial restructuring to digital oversight and low-carbon infrastructure, the creation of a zero-carbon park is a complex and integrated undertaking that requires careful planning and coordinated efforts.

“Constructing zero-carbon parks not only makes a direct contribution to emissions reduction, but more importantly, through these ‘zero-carbon cells,’ China is gaining experience, exploring pathways, and developing models for building a zero-carbon society,” said an official with China’s National Development and Reform Commission.

By Guo Xiaolong, People’s Daily

In late August, the early signs of autumn brought a chill to the Lesser Khingan Mountains, a forested region in northeastern China. However, inside the Songshan ganoderma cultivation workshop, managed by the Hebei Forestry Bureau under Longjiang Forest Industry Group Co., Ltd. in Heilongjiang province, the air remained pleasantly warm.

“The temperature must be maintained between 23 and 26 degrees Celsius; any higher could cause the fungus to deteriorate,” explained Bai Linjin, a planting expert and one of the first specialists stationed at the Hebei Science and Technology Backyard. As he demonstrated cultivation techniques, a group of local forestry workers gathered around, observing his detailed instructions.

Worker Dai Kebao, who had worked at the Hebei Forestry Bureau for over 30 years, took notes and snapped photos. “It’s reassuring to have experts teach us hands-on like this!” he remarked. 

The Hebei Science and Technology Backyard, officially established in July this year, has become a new driver of ecological conservation and industrial development in the region.

“For generations, the local community relied on logging for its livelihood. When logging operations ceased, many families found themselves without a source of income,” recalled Dai. Having witnessed the rise of the logging industry and its eventual decline, he understood the complex challenge of balancing forest conservation with economic stability.

This dilemma – protecting forests while ensuring a stable income – was a challenge not only for the Hebei Forestry Bureau but also for many forestry regions across the country. Dependence on traditional logging practices left the under-forest economy underdeveloped, with low-value products like mushrooms and wild vegetables fetching meager prices. Furthermore, academic research often remained detached from practical applications in the forest.

Gong Qianwen, head of the Hebei Science and Technology Backyard, remembers his first visit to the region. “I witnessed local workers losing half of their ganoderma crop due to pests and diseases, simply because they lacked the knowledge to manage these issues. It was disheartening,” he said. It was then that Gong recognized the importance of “translating” laboratory innovations into practical, accessible methods for forestry workers.

Established through a partnership between Longjiang Forest Industry Group, Northeast Forestry University, and Heilongjiang Ecological Engineering College on July 17, the Hebei Science and Technology Backyard is designed to directly support the forestry community.

Researchers are stationed on-site to address problems, students gain hands-on experience, and local workers acquire new skills. This integrated approach transforms research into tangible benefits for the region.

In mid-August, Bai’s phone rang late at night. It was Dai, urgently seeking guidance. “Bai, what should I do? My ganoderma bags appear to be growing mold!”

Bai immediately drove more than 20 kilometers to the ganoderma shed, where he quickly diagnosed the issue – excess humidity had caused the appearance of aerial mycelium, not contamination.

“Don’t worry. Ventilate the shed tomorrow and reduce watering to keep humidity below 45 percent,” he advised. Bai remained on-site until 1 a.m., providing hands-on instruction in using a thermometer-hygrometer to monitor conditions.

“What sets our Backyard apart is the direct support from experts. They speak in simple terms and provide round-the-clock assistance until the issue is resolved,” noted Gong. Since its inception, the backyard has brought together 37 specialists in fields ranging from ecological conservation to healthcare and edible fungi cultivation.

Songshan ganoderma, a local specialty, had long been regarded as a raw material, sold for just 60 yuan ($8.43) per kilogram. With the guidance of the Science and Technology Backyard, a development strategy has been implemented, emphasizing the creation of high-value products rather than merely cultivating raw materials.

“In the past, I grew black fungus on five mu (about 3,340 square meters) and earned a maximum of 50,000 yuan annually. Now, with the experts’ advice, I’m growing ganoderma and processing it into wellness products, which will significantly increase my income,” Dai said.

Wu Si, a 26-year-old PhD student in ecological civilization studies at Beijing Forestry University, joined the backyard in July. Every day, she accompanies her professors to the field, collecting data and making observations. “In class, ecological protection seemed like an abstract concept. Now I understand that protecting the environment doesn’t mean doing nothing. With science and technology, forests can both thrive and support local prosperity,” she said. 

For Sun Tiancheng, an official with the Hebei Forestry Bureau, the true value of the backyard lies its impact on mindsets. “We once believed that simply having the forest would ensure our livelihood. Now, we understand that forests must not only be preserved but actively nurtured. With technology, they can truly flourish,” Sun said. 

Moving forward, the bureau plans to integrate ganoderma cultivation, forest wellness, and eco-tourism into a comprehensive “ecology + industry” model, ensuring that more workers benefit from the advances in science and technology.

By Wu Dan, He Linping, People’s Daily

On June 19 this year, China’s Ministry of Education officially approved the establishment of Great Bay University (GBU), located near Songshan Lake in Dongguan, south China’s Guangdong province.

The term “Greater Bay Area,” initially a purely geographical concept, has evolved to represent economic dynamism, technological innovation, and leadership. Now, it extends into the realm of higher education, with the creation of a new model for research universities. 

What sets GBU apart?

The university’s location plays a key role in its vision. Situated just minutes from Shenzhen, a renowned technology hub, GBU benefits from proximity to some of the Greater Bay Area’s most cutting-edge scientific and technological resources. The region is home to tech giant Huawei, China’s first pulsed spallation neutron source, and the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, among others. Notably, lunar soil samples brought back by the Chang’e-5 lunar mission have been sent to the region for study.

“Establishing the GBU near Songshan Lake fosters closer cooperation with local laboratories, large-scale scientific facilities, and leading tech companies. The excellent transport links to Guangzhou and Shenzhen further enhance our connectivity,” explained Tian Gang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and founding leader of the university. 

The university features two campuses: the Songshan Lake campus, which is already in use, and the Binhai Bay campus, still under development.

GBU is strategically focused on science and engineering, offering high-quality education on a smaller scale. Its initial academic programs include mathematics, applied mathematics, physics, materials science and engineering, computer science and technology, and industrial engineering. 

In its first undergraduate admissions in July, GBU enrolled 80 students in the physics program, with all available slots filled in the initial round. Despite its modest intake, the university boasts a robust faculty, with nearly 300 teaching and research staff, of whom 70 percent have experience at top-tier international universities and research institutions, including 10 academicians and 78 national-level leading talents.

“We encourage our undergraduates to work with different mentors and gain hands-on laboratory experience. Our curriculum is designed to align with national needs, social demands, industrial priorities, and global frontiers,” said Zhao Jinkui, executive dean of the School of Material Science of the GBU. 

GBU promotes a model of collaboration, including partnerships between universities, research institutes, and leading enterprises. These initiatives aim to align with the development needs and industrial planning of the Greater Bay Area. Guangdong province is spearheading top-level educational planning, optimizing the distribution of universities, and fostering a cluster of world-class institutions with distinctive Greater Bay Area characteristics.

Innovative institutions such as GBU, Southern University of Science and Technology, and Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology are reimagining educational models, advancing interdisciplinary research, and cultivating top-tier talent in emerging sectors.

Additionally, joint-venture universities such as Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), and City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) are promoting sustainable and collaborative development, contributing to a more open and high-level educational ecosystem. 

Meanwhile, vocational institutions such as Shenzhen Polytechnic University and Guangdong Industry Polytechnic University are pushing the boundaries of vocational education, training professionals with both solid theoretical knowledge and practical skills to support the region’s industrial transformation.

“We are advancing a higher education strategy focused on excellence, addressing gaps, and strengthening distinctive strengths, to develop universities of greater depth and quality,” said Lin Rupeng, director of the Department of Education of Guangdong province.

Each year, Guangdong allocates dedicated funding to support universities in their pursuit of world-class status and the development of world-leading academic disciplines. This includes financial support for talent recruitment, research projects, platform development, and academic programs, while also granting universities greater operational autonomy, Lin added.

By Li Hongxing, People’s Daily

Chinese products are capturing global attention with ever more creative innovations. This summer, a portable split air conditioner developed by a Chinese manufacturer became a sensation in Europe. Easy to install without drilling holes in walls, it not only protects historical buildings but also sets a benchmark for energy efficiency and environmental protection, prompting even those previously uninterested in air conditioners to reconsider.

Today’s “made in China” is increasingly associated with ingenuity as well as affordability and variety. In one viral example, an American influencer gave his father a solar-powered fan hat made in China for Father’s Day. When the father wore it while barbecuing outdoors, he was so delighted that he broke into an impromptu dance. The video quickly went viral on social media, driving sales of the quirky solar hat through the roof.

By catering to specific needs and tailored scenarios, Chinese brands are steadily gaining recognition among overseas consumers. The growing appeal of “shopping in China” underscores this momentum. From January to June this year, both sales and departure tax refunds on duty-free goods purchased in China increased by 94.6 percent and 93.2 percent year on year, respectively.

Why is “made in China” winning such wide popularity abroad, and what is driving the surge in “shopping in China”?

Beyond reliable quality and exceptional value for money, the deeper reason lies in China’s comprehensive upgrade of its manufacturing sector, from design and production to brand building. By combining Chinese creativity with localized strategies, companies are better equipped to meet the diverse demand of global consumers.

Meeting demand is the key to winning markets. As products “go global,” they encounter a broad spectrum of consumer expectations, requiring adaptability across the entire product lifecycle, from functional design and scenario application to cross-border logistics and marketing services.

Food delivery robots provide a telling example. A yakiniku restaurant in Hachinohe, Japan, purchased robots from a Shanghai-based company to address labor shortages. However, models that had performed well in China initially struggled to win acceptance in Japan. After investigation, the company realized that the robot’s appearance, service pace, and size did not align with local preferences. By redesigning them to be smaller and more agile, the company quickly won customer approval. 

This deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, coupled with stronger capabilities to collect real-time feedback and rapidly iterate products, marks a new stage of upgrading in Chinese manufacturing and a fresh source of competitive advantage globally.

Cultural marketing represents another frontier. The more creativity and cultural value embedded in a product’s design, the stronger its appeal and the higher its brand value. 

Consider a jewelry brand that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. When it opened its first overseas store in Singapore this June, customer traffic rose steadily, with many drawn by the artistry and cultural symbolism of its pieces. 

Meanwhile, a company in Dongguan, south China’s Guangdong province, turned dozens of traditional medicinal herbs from Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica, a herbology and nature masterpiece in China), into collectible figurines, promoting traditional Chinese medicine culture while also launching toy lines inspired by Shanhaijing, or The Classic of Mountains and Seas. These cultural-themed products have found enthusiastic audiences overseas.

By combining design with culture and technology, Chinese manufacturers are moving beyond “functional” to “user-friendly,” and further toward “user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.” Affordable products enriched with cultural sophistication embody an upgrade in value creation.

By capturing consumer demand, embracing innovative and personalized design, and ensuring reliable quality, “made in China” is reshaping its image worldwide. Behind this transformation lies a shift from “quantity advantage” to “quality advantage,” the strengthening of collaborative industrial supply chains, and the rapid emergence of new quality productive forces.

With a continued commitment to high-end, intelligent, and green development, underpinned by advances in technological innovation and cultural integration, Chinese manufacturing is set to move steadily along a broader path of high-quality growth.