On September 10, 2026, Zhang Yuzhuo, President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), met in Beijing with Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and International Member of the CAE, and his delegation. The two sides held in-depth exchanges on the global energy landscape, energy transition policies, progress in new energy, and ways to deepen collaboration.

    Zhang welcomed Birol and his delegation. He noted that collaboration between China and the IEA began in 1996 and has steadily deepened over the past three decades. New energy, he said, has moved from a supplementary role to a key force in the energy system, and non-fossil energy, represented by renewable energy, is reshaping the global energy landscape. The CAE stands ready to work with the IEA to deepen exchanges on global energy security and new energy technology innovation, and to contribute wisdom and strength to addressing global climate change and advancing the green and low-carbon energy transition.

    Birol spoke highly of China’s leading role in building clean energy system. Stressing that ensuring energy security is crucial, he said the IEA will continue to serve as a bridge, strengthen cooperation with the CAE in key areas such as hydrogen and battery energy storage, promote multilateral and bilateral international exchanges in the energy field, and jointly advance the global energy transition and sustainable development.

    Amos Bromhead, Chief of Staff to the IEA Executive Director, and Rebecca McKimm, Director of the IEA China Office, accompanied the visit. Chen Jianfeng, Vice President of the CAE, CAE Member Ling Wen and Wu Kai, officials from the National Energy Administration, and expert from the Modern Management Center of Tsinghua University attended the meeting.

    (LIU Wei and ZHU Yu)