Introduction

Ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, China updated its NDC targets and pledged to peak its carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. lt is crucial to understand the implications of achieving these two targets in such a short time frame on China's emission pathways, socioeconomic development, energy transition, decarbonization, and climate governance.

Given China's broad landscape with regional differences in current development status and resource abundance, it is also necessary to understand how each region would be impacted by China's low-carbon transition. In addition, as the energy transition from fossil fuels to lowand zero-emission fuels would likely lead to the rapid development of variable renewable energy (VRE), which might threaten the energy system's reliability and resilience, it is critical to investigate the role of other non-fossil fuel energy sources that could ensure a safe and sustainable transition.