The global shift to clean energy cannot happen without China's manufacturing, said Liu Hanyuan, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress and chairman of Tongwei Group, in a recent interview.

Liu Hanyuan, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce, and chairman of Tongwei Group, speaks at a group interview. [Photo by Wang Ran/China.org.cn] 

"China's dominance in the photovoltaics industry is undeniable and difficult to surpass," Liu said, emphasizing the country's leadership in solar technology. He called for stronger government and business collaboration to expand the "new three" — electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and solar products — into global markets, reinforcing their role in the world's energy transition.

Liu noted that China's PV industry commands more than 85% of the global market and maintains leadership in producing high-purity polysilicon, wafers, solar cells and modules. Furthermore, its levels of automation, smart manufacturing, and product quality are at the forefront globally. This market dominance developed through deliberate technological innovation and economies of scale over many years, he explained.

Although the United States and European Union imposed trade restrictions on Chinese solar products, China's PV industry maintained its growth trajectory while the EU's low-carbon transition slowed. After the EU lifted restrictions in 2018, its solar installations and clean energy adoption accelerated significantly. Liu pointed out that it would take 15 to 20 years for the EU to build a solar supply chain matching China's scale and cost efficiency. With just over 20 years remaining to meet the EU's 2050 carbon neutrality targets, decoupling from "Made in China" is highly impractical.

"We maintain close ties with our European counterparts, who recognize China's essential role in the global energy transition," Liu said. "Despite differing views, long-term cooperation remains the dominant trend."

Liu believes that expanding China's "new three" globally will accelerate clean energy transitions in developed nations but also help developing countries bypass the traditional "pollute-then-clean-up" model, leapfrogging into sustainable development. To support this, he called on the government to strengthen policies across products, technology, talent and services to drive the full industrial chain's global expansion.

He also called for streamlined trade processes, including information-sharing platforms, simplified customs procedures and dedicated funding for key technology advancements. "Expanding the 'new three' supply chain globally will inject strong momentum into the global energy transition and sustainability, demonstrating China's responsibility as a major country and advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," Liu said.