by MA Yueran

The "integration of four chains"—referring to the innovation, industrial, capital and talent chains—emerged as a central theme on the opening day of the clean energy section of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE).

"China has built the world's largest and most complete new energy industrial chain," said YU Jianlong, vice-chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), adding that green development has become a core national strategy. He noted that clean energy investment in China reached US$625 billion in 2024, accounting for one-third of the global total.

China now supplies over 80 per cent of the world's solar modules and 70 per cent of wind power equipment, Yu said, calling the country a global stabilizer in the clean energy supply chain.

Held under the theme "Connecting the World for a Shared Future," this year's expo features six thematic chains: advanced manufacturing, smart vehicles, green agriculture, clean energy, digital technology, and healthy living. More than 650 exhibitors from 75 countries and regions are participating, with international firms making up 35 per cent.

The clean energy zone attracted major state-owned players including China Energy, PetroChina and Sinopec, showcasing advances in solar, wind, energy storage, hydrogen, smart grids, and low-carbon industrial parks.

Despite strong growth, industry leaders warned of mounting challenges, particularly around funding. CHEN You'an, president of Changjiang Electric Group, pointed to a mismatch between high capital investment and market demand for low-cost solutions. Rising geopolitical risks and declining subsidies have further squeezed margins.

JIA Zhonghua, director of the China Environmental Protection Industry Development Center, noted that most clean energy investment still flows to short-cycle applications, while long-term frontier research remains underfunded. He urged policies that channel "patient capital" into technologies requiring decade-long development cycles—such as green hydrogen, ocean energy and nuclear fusion.

He also highlighted growing cost pressures as Chinese firms expand manufacturing abroad amid rising geopolitical tensions and Western industrial reshoring efforts.

WENG Zhaowei, president of Longshine Technology Group, emphasized the need for innovative financing models to support the rise of small and medium-sized energy firms, especially in distributed energy projects where traditional financing pathways remain limited.

In a keynote speech, LU Junling, chief economist at the National Energy Administration, said China must accelerate clean energy transitions through digital innovation, cross-border cooperation and green transformation. He called for building an open and resilient energy market that benefits all and ensures global supply chain stability.