China’s Clean Tech Influence Grows Across the Global South

1. In recent years, clean technology such as solar panels and electric vehicles (EVs) has been widely adopted in many cities across the developing world, including Islamabad, Nairobi, São Paulo, and Kathmandu. This is evidenced by visible changes, such as increased rooftop solar installations and improved urban air quality due to a shift from combustion engines to EVs. Cities like Hanoi and Addis Ababa are expected to follow this trend soon, signaling a broader movement toward clean energy in emerging markets[para. 1].

2. The primary factor driving the proliferation of clean technology in developing countries is China’s sustained investment and innovation in the sector. Over the past two decades, Chinese firms, with consistent support from the Chinese government, have managed to reduce the costs and improve the technical performance of solar panels and EVs. This has made these technologies increasingly accessible and attractive to a broader segment of the global population, regardless of their country's stage of economic development[para. 2].

3. A global survey conducted by GlobeScan between July and September 2025, sampling 32,000 people in 33 countries, revealed that solar panels and EVs are highly desirable worldwide, with over 80% of respondents expressing interest or having already purchased them. While affordability remains the most significant obstacle to wider adoption, the steady decrease in prices suggests that many currently interested individuals might soon transition into actual users and advocates for clean tech[para. 3].

4. The survey further identifies that emerging markets show a much greater willingness to purchase Chinese-made clean technologies than developed countries. For example, 87% of respondents in sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa) are open to buying Chinese solar panels, compared to 69% in Latin America, 67% in the Middle East and North Africa, 35% in Europe, and 38% in the U.S. and Canada. The lower enthusiasm in Western countries is linked to concerns about product quality, dependency, security, and the economic legacy of earlier waves of Chinese imports[para. 4][para. 5].

5. Positive perceptions of Chinese clean tech are also fueled by greater availability and competitive pricing. Influential industry figures, such as Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley, acknowledge China’s combination of innovation and affordability as the reason for its global success. Additionally, the instability seen in U.S. policy under President Donald Trump has made China appear to be a more stable partner. China's international reputation is improving, supported by consistent interest and even increased support for Chinese clean tech in multiple countries, irrespective of past diplomatic complexities[para. 6][para. 7].

6. China's clean tech sector is increasingly viewed as an instrument of soft power, especially in the Global South. At the COP30 climate conference—where the U.S. was notably absent—major Chinese firms received strong praise for their contributions to global efforts against climate change, especially from the Brazilian presidency, which recognized China’s effective role in spreading low-carbon technologies[para. 8].

7. The global competition over clean technology is becoming a new geopolitical battleground. China’s pitch to the Global South, characterized by investment and the availability of affordable technologies, compares favorably to the U.S. and Europe’s more protectionist or fossil-fuel-oriented approaches. Since President Trump’s assumption of U.S. leadership in 2025, the country has shifted away from supporting clean tech innovation and manufacturing, effectively relinquishing competition with China in this sector[para. 9][para. 10].

8. Policymakers in regions like Brussels, Tokyo, and Seoul express concern over potential over-reliance on Chinese technology and the risk of industrial decline. Although Global South countries currently seem satisfied with China's leadership in clean tech, this dynamic might evolve if they perceive an unequal distribution of economic benefits. Ultimately, the proliferation of affordable clean tech is inseparable from broader geopolitical currents and will likely intensify their influence over global relations in the years ahead[para. 11][para. 12].