Climate and energy civil society leaders across Asia convene in Shenzhen for inaugural Energy Communications Master Class

On May 27-28, 2025, civil society leaders, energy experts, and communications professionals from across Asia gathered in Shenzhen for the first-ever Energy Communications Master Class (ECMC). This initiative was organized by People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS) in partnership with Yirongda Cultural Development Co., under the BRIDGE Program (Belt and Road Initiative Directed toward Green Energy), which promotes people-powered cooperation for a just and sustainable energy transition in Asia.

Participants and organizers from across Asia convened in Shenzhen, China for the first ever Energy Communications Master Class.

The Master Class brought together participants from Indonesia, Pakistan, China, and the Philippines, representing a diverse coalition of advocacy organizations including the Institute for Essential Services Reform, Energy Shift Institute, Gentala Institute, Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, Inc., Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, and Renewables First. The diversity of backgrounds and perspectives underscored the regional significance of this convening and recognized China's critical role in shaping the energy landscape across Asia and the need for stronger civil society engagement in response.

Over two days, the Master Class created a collaborative space for campaigners and communicators to explore   how storytelling, media engagement, and policy framing can influence key stakeholders. The workshop featured a powerful lineup of speakers from China’s journalism, academic, and energy sectors. Among them was Hou Liqiang, Chief Reporter of China Daily's National News Department, who highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation in addressing climate change and the role of journalists in framing energy discourse for domestic and international audiences.

Hou Liqiang, one of the speakers and Chief Reporter at China Daily, emphasized the importance of South-South cooperation in climate and energy communication, highlighting how shared experiences can drive stronger narratives for a just transition.

Zhu Xuerui, Managing Editor of China Energy News, emphasized the need to integrate Southeast Asian perspectives into China’s energy communication agenda. She encouraged regional communicators to identify narrative entry points that align with China’s current policy priorities, positioning their stories within a shared vision of clean energy cooperation.

Zhang Bingyang, a senior energy transition expert, provided an overview of China’s renewable energy trends and policy shifts. His session underscored both the scale and complexity of China’s domestic energy transition, helping participants contextualize the challenges and opportunities for regional advocacy. Meanwhile, Li Hui, Deputy Director of the Shenzhen Research Center for Urban Communication Innovation, explored how Southeast Asian think tanks can build capacity and relevance in addressing China’s global energy initiatives. His presentation highlighted the strategic need for research-based communication that resonates with both local communities and transnational stakeholders.

Adding a cultural dimension to the discourse, Haixia Wang of China Energy News shared how traditional Chinese values and philosophies can support public narratives around energy transformation, reminding participants that effective communication in China is often rooted in cultural resonance as much as policy logic.

Throughout the sessions, participants actively engaged with the speakers, raising critical questions on media access, geopolitical influence, campaign strategies, and narrative alignment. These discussions were not only intellectually rich but deeply practical, offering tools and guidance for how NGOs can more effectively contribute to regional energy discourse that reaches and resonates within China.

The Master Class also included two field visits that brought China’s energy transition to life. At the headquarters of BYD, one of the world’s leading electric vehicle and battery manufacturers, participants learned about the company’s role in driving China's low-carbon transport revolution. The visit offered a first-hand look at how industrial innovation is accelerating the clean energy transition, not just in China but increasingly across global markets.

At a China Southern Power Grid EV charging station, they saw firsthand how public infrastructure is evolving to support electric mobility—highlighting China’s investments in grid innovation and urban decarbonization. The site served as a concrete example of how China is investing in grid innovation, public charging networks, and integrated energy systems, which are critical components in the broader shift toward decarbonization.

The significance of the Master Class is underscored by the evolving energy landscape in Asia. China's overseas investments in renewable energy have surged, with 68% of its foreign power investments directed toward solar and wind projects between 2022 and 2023: a substantial increase from just 13% in the preceding two decades . Southeast Asia, in particular, has become a focal point, receiving over US$2.7 billion in Chinese public financing for clean energy projects from 2013 to 2023.

However, despite these investments, Southeast Asia's clean energy spending accounts for only about 2% of the global total. To align with the region's long-term sustainability goals, annual energy investments would need to nearly double, from the current average of USD 72 billion to over USD 130 billion by the end of the decade. This gap highlights the critical need for effective communication strategies that can attract and mobilize further investments.

The Master Class serves as a pivotal platform for equipping civil society leaders with the tools to navigate and influence this complex energy transition landscape. By fostering strategic communication skills, the program empowers participants to effectively engage with Chinese stakeholders, ensuring that the narratives and needs of Southeast Asian countries are adequately represented and addressed in the broader discourse on renewable energy development.

“It is essential for voices from the Belt and Road Initiative partner countries to be heard by China through Chinese media,” said Xiaojun Wang, Executive Director of PACS. “This is not just media training. It’s about equipping civil society leaders with the knowledge, skills and insights to shift regional discourse on China’s role in the energy transition. Our alumni and the lecturers will stay in close contact for further communications collaboration.”

By the end of the Master Class, participants left not only with deeper insights but also with new allies in the shared mission of a fast, fair, and people-centered energy transition. As part of its commitment to long-term capacity building, PACS will continue supporting participants with post-event mentoring and opportunities for joint advocacy outputs such as op-eds, media pitches, and collaborative campaigns.

The inaugural ECMC affirmed a powerful truth:When civil society connects across borders with purpose and strategy, transformative change becomes not only possible—but inevitable.