State Secretary Morgan,
Mr. Wang Shi,
Mr. Werksman,
Prof. Dr. Latif,
Members of the Hamburg and European Parliament,
Members of the Consular Corps,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to Hamburg City Hall, and to CHINA TIME 2022.
The world has changed since the last CHINA TIME in 2018.
The Covid-19 pandemic has put pressure on our societies, and on our economies.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has caused great suffering for the people, and it has caused dramatic changes in the geo-political landscape.
The resulting energy crisis and the effects of climate change clearly show that we need to increase our efforts to become independent of fossil fuels and to decarbonize our economies and energy systems.
These challenges are far-reaching and global. They demand joint action by the whole international community.
As we have seen at the recent G20 summit in Bali and at the COP 27 summit in Egypt: The nations of the world are willing to work together, to find common ground and to agree on solutions. It is difficult, but it is necessary.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
we have decided on a new, more focused format for CHINA TIME Hamburg. For the first time, it has a main topic.
Global climate change was chosen because it is an important issue, on which China and Europe need to co-operate. As the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, China and the European Union play critical roles in protecting our climate.
China has committed itself to climate neutrality by 2060 and is leading in the development of e-mobility solutions. The EU has made the European Green Deal and is working on becoming climate neutral by 2050.
The Paris climate targets cannot be met unless we all increase our efforts.
CHINA TIME provides an opportunity to go into detail, to compare strategies of carbon reduction, exchange best practices and to talk about a joint way forward.
For the next two days, high-ranking international speakers will give us their perspectives on global climate co-operation, and also on the results of the COP 27 conference, especially the newly established “Loss and Damage” Fund to compensate vulnerable nations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
CHINA TIME 2022 takes place in challenging times. The world has grown more complex, and so has the relationship between China, the EU and Germany.
But one thing is clear: In global climate protection, we are not competitors or systemic rivals.
In this great task of our time, we are partners who fail together or succeed together. Our aim is to be successful in the interest of future generations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
CHINA TIME 2022 offers a unique opportunity for discussions, for sharing experiences and strategies.
I am confident that CHINA TIME 2022 can help us find ways to work together on international climate policy.
In the name of the Hamburg Senate, I wish all participants interesting and inspiring conversations and many new insights at this conference. And please enjoy your stay in Hamburg.
Thank you very much.