At the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, China is emerging as a dominant voice for the Global South, positioning itself as both a political leader and an economic powerhouse in the global energy transition. The sprawling Chinese pavilion at the conference has become a hub for delegates, business leaders, and media representatives, with many taking selfies and networking with Chinese companies showcasing solar, wind, and battery technologies. Beyond the optics, China is playing a strategic role, aligning with other developing nations to push for equity, finance, and technological support in climate mitigation and adaptation.

Backing Developing Countries on Article 9.1

A central focus at COP30 has been Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, which obligates developed nations to provide financial support to developing countries for climate change mitigation and adaptation. China has emerged as a vocal advocate for the Global South on this contentious issue, backing the need for predictable, scaled-up public finance from developed countries. India, as part of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) and the broader G77+China group, has been moving in lockstep with China, framing Article 9.1 as the backbone of the Paris Agreement and insisting that ambitious climate targets are meaningless without assured financial flows.

In parallel, both countries have highlighted that adaptation finance remains critically underfunded. They have coordinated interventions at COP30 to emphasize that any discussion of ambition is incomplete without guaranteed financial support from developed countries. This stance reflects a broader push from developing nations to ensure that climate responsibilities are shared equitably and that developing countries are not forced to shoulder the burden without sufficient resources.

Trade, Technology, and Equity

Another area of cooperation between India and China at COP30 is trade. Both countries have jointly opposed Unilateral Trade Measures (UTMs), arguing that such measures are restrictive, inequitable, and incompatible with the principles of climate justice. India has stressed that UTMs act as trade barriers that disproportionately hurt developing countries, while China has echoed this position, emphasizing that linking climate ambition to trade conditionalities undermines equitable progress.

Observers at the conference noted a lighthearted but telling exchange during a consultation session, where the chair described the meeting as a “collective therapy session.” India’s delegation suggested that therapy should be mandatory, not voluntary, prompting China’s representative to quip, “Not just therapy. We need yoga and a massage,” underscoring the informal camaraderie and coordinated approach of developing nations in these negotiations.

China’s Economic and Technological Clout

China’s influence at COP30 extends beyond political advocacy; it is also a dominant player in the clean energy market. The country controls at least 60% of the global wind turbine manufacturing capacity and remains India’s largest trade partner in sectors such as solar photovoltaics (PV) and batteries. According to a 2017 study by the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy, India was the largest recipient of Chinese solar PV exports, importing roughly $3.5 billion worth of products. This trade relationship demonstrates the practical synergy between the two countries’ climate and energy strategies.

COP30 President André Corrêa highlighted this dynamic, noting that India and China’s participation as major markets is helping reduce the cost of energy transition technologies globally. Corrêa emphasized that China’s scale, technology, and manufacturing capacity are crucial in making renewable energy solutions affordable for developing nations. Solar panels that cost 90% less than a few years ago are now accessible to a far larger segment of the global population, illustrating the tangible impact of China’s industrial dominance.

Filling the Global Leadership Void

With the United States stepping back from some climate commitments, China is strategically filling the vacuum, leveraging both economic and political influence to shape global climate discourse. President Xi Jinping has reiterated China’s commitment to global climate goals, including at the Leaders’ Summit on Climate and Just Transitions earlier this year. Xi has also criticized protectionist measures by other major powers that limit the free circulation of high-quality green technologies, reinforcing China’s image as a champion of accessible, affordable energy transition solutions.

Policy experts see China’s stance as a calculated blend of climate leadership and economic interest. By promoting green transitions and backing developing countries, China is securing strategic partnerships while ensuring that its vast clean-energy manufacturing base remains globally competitive. Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, warned that while the European Union pursues a multi-layered climate–trade agenda, its approach risks alienating the Global South and failing to achieve both environmental and geopolitical objectives. In contrast, China’s approach emphasizes collaboration and practical solutions, particularly for developing countries.

India-China Collaboration on Clean Energy

India and China’s coordinated efforts at COP30 are not limited to diplomacy; they also extend to technology and trade integration. University of San Diego economics associate professor Teevrat Garg highlighted that their clean-energy collaboration could define Asia’s decarbonization trajectory. By pairing China’s manufacturing depth with India’s growing demand for flexible, tech-enabled energy solutions, the region is creating an integrated approach to renewable energy deployment. This includes not just hardware, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries, but also the digital and behavioral innovations necessary for reliable and efficient renewable systems.

Garg emphasized that this regional integration could accelerate both economic growth and decarbonization. India’s role as a major market complements China’s supply capabilities, creating a dynamic ecosystem that benefits both countries and the wider Global South. As developing countries increasingly adopt renewable technologies, this partnership demonstrates that collaboration across borders is essential to achieving scalable, sustainable, and affordable climate solutions.

Global Implications

China’s leadership at COP30 reflects a broader geopolitical shift in climate diplomacy. As one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters and a global economic power, China is leveraging its position to influence outcomes on finance, trade, and technology. India’s alignment with China through LMDCs and G77+China ensures that the interests of developing countries are represented and that climate negotiations remain equitable.

The combination of political advocacy, technological capacity, and economic leverage positions China—and, by extension, India—as key architects of a more inclusive and practical approach to global climate governance. By reducing costs, expanding market access, and ensuring finance for adaptation and mitigation, they are setting the stage for a climate transition that is not only ambitious but also achievable for developing countries.

Conclusion

As COP30 unfolds in Belem, China’s prominent pavilion and assertive role in negotiations underline its leadership within the Global South. India’s close alignment with China strengthens the collective bargaining power of developing nations, particularly on critical issues such as climate finance, adaptation, and equitable trade. Together, the two countries are shaping a pragmatic, scalable, and cooperative approach to global energy transition, ensuring that the benefits of decarbonization reach the countries that need them most.

With China’s industrial scale and India’s rapidly growing market, COP30 may mark a turning point where the Global South not only voices its priorities but also demonstrates its capacity to implement them, potentially reshaping the global clean energy landscape for decades to come.