UK named guest country of honor at upcoming green energy forum in Taiyuan, Shanxi

The UK has been named the guest country of honor for the 2026 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum, which is set to run from Sept 4 to 5 in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, aiming to showcase China's energy transition achievements over the past decade and act as a launchpad for future development.

Multiple Shanxi officials spoke about the forum at a news conference on Wednesday, alongside the release of an official statement.

Dong Xiaoyu, executive vice‑governor of Shanxi province, said that the forum maintains its "national‑level, international‑oriented, and professional" positioning. The event will feature an opening ceremony, high‑level meetings, five international conferences, seven parallel forums, six thematic events, and supporting activities.

Dong Xiaolin, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanxi Provincial Government, said that more than 120 international guests from 28 countries and regions had confirmed their attendance, including foreign dignitaries, ministerial‑level officials, diplomatic envoys, heads of international organizations, senior officials from sister provinces and states, and experts and corporate executives in the energy sector.

To mark its 10th anniversary, Dong Xiaolin said the forum would launch the "Ambassador's Tea House‑Journey to Shanxi" event. Designed as an international dialogue on energy and low‑carbon issues, the event will invite diplomatic envoys, representatives of international organizations, energy experts, scholars, and business leaders for relaxed conversations over tea on energy transition and cultural exchange.

"This year's forum will build on a decade of accumulated experience, foster broader global consensus on green and low‑carbon energy transition, advance the Global Development Initiative, contribute to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and contribute Shanxi's strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind," Dong Xiaolin said.

The forum is co‑hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Energy Administration and the People's Government of Shanxi Province.

Li Jialu contributed to this story.