The China Yantai-Pacific Islands Zero-Carbon Cooperation Meeting was held in Beijing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The China Yantai-Pacific Island Countries Conference on Zero-Carbon Cooperation was held in Beijing on Thursday, bringing together over 80 participants, including diplomatic envoys from Pacific Island nations, experts, and business representatives.

Hosted by Yantai, a coastal city in East China's Shandong province, the event aimed to foster international collaboration on building zero-carbon islands and promoting sustainable development.

Zheng Deyan, mayor of Yantai, Shandong province, delivers a speech during the China Yantai-Pacific Islands Zero-Carbon Cooperation Meeting. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zheng Deyan, mayor of Yantai, highlighted the city's commitment to addressing climate change by developing Changdao Island as a model for international zero-carbon islands. As a designated pilot city for sea island protection and development, Yantai is accelerating its green transition and facilitating global partnerships through government support, enterprise participation, and multilateral collaboration.

Yantai also seeks to establish the world's first international organization dedicated to zero-carbon islands—the "International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Organization"—to serve as a high-level platform for global exchange and collaboration.

Participants praised the event for addressing the specific needs of island nations with practical and targeted discussions. Many expressed strong interest in strengthening ties with Yantai to advance international zero-carbon island cooperation, enhance sustainable island development, and collectively tackle climate change challenges.