The Chinese and EU leaders issued a joint statement, emphasizing the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement on climate change as “the cornerstone of international climate cooperation” and expressing their commitment to submit, before the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30), their respective nationally determined contributions (NDCs) covering all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases (GHGs), in alignment with the long-term temperature goal of the Paris Agreement.
The leaders reiterate the importance of the major economies maintaining policy continuity and stability amid today’s “fluid and turbulent” international situation. They emphasize the need for all countries to adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), in the light of different national circumstances, and agree to demonstrate leadership in driving a global just transition in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.
The leaders express their commitment to:
- Upholding the central role of the goals and principles of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement;
- Strengthening results-oriented actions to turn their respective climate targets into tangible outcomes;
- Working with all countries to support Brazil as the COP 30 host by promoting an ambitious, equitable, balanced, and inclusive outcome;
- Accelerating the global renewable energy deployment and facilitating access to quality green technologies and products for all countries;
- Enhancing adaptation efforts and support; and
- Enhancing bilateral cooperation on energy transition, adaptation, methane emissions management and control, carbon markets, and green and low-carbon technologies, among other areas.
The leaders issued the statement at the conclusion of their 25th Summit in Beijing, China, on 24 July 2025. They reiterated their commitment to work together to safeguard multilateralism and discussed the various aspects of their bilateral relationship.
In a statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the commitment of China and the EU to strengthen cooperation on climate change and drive the global just transition. He called for all Group of 20 (G20) countries to present their 2035 NDCs that are economy-wide, cover all emissions, align with the 1.5°C goal, and define a credible pathway to transition away from fossil fuels.
Pursuant to the Paris Agreement, each party is required to communicate, at five-year intervals, progressively more ambitious NDCs. The third round of NDCs s due this year.
China and the EU’s engagement on climate issues has included the Germany-hosted Petersberg Climate Dialogue, the Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA), and the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF), among other processes. [Joint EU-China Press Statement on Climate] [EU Press Release]