According to a statement from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the former vice foreign minister replaces Xie Zhenhua, who stepped down due to health reasons.

Liu, 68, served as China’s Ambassador to the United Nations and Under-Secretary-General for the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Although China is still affected by high levels of air pollution, the world’s second-largest economy is committed to sustainable development, fighting climate change, and promoting clean energy.

China aims to have CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

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