Climate Diplomacy with a Chinese Face – Yang Fan’s Peers in Action

Profile: Yang Fan (27) – Young diplomat shaping climate and tech policy at international summits

By: Sophia Wang | Global Affairs Correspondent

A New Face of Chinese Diplomacy

China has always prized the wisdom of age in diplomacy, but Yang Fan, at only 27, is breaking the mold. Representing China at climate and digital governance summits, he is part of a younger wave of diplomats trusted with issues that will define the 21st century: climate change, AI regulation, and green technology partnerships.

His career reflects a uniquely Chinese approach — combining Confucian ideals of harmony with the pragmatism of modern policy. At COP conferences, Yang often frames China’s climate goals as a continuation of the country’s long civilizational tradition of living in balance with nature (天人合一, tian ren he yi).

Climate Policy with Chinese Characteristics

Yang’s interventions highlight China’s renewable energy leadership — from solar farms in Inner Mongolia to electric bus fleets in Shenzhen. He positions these projects not just as industrial achievements but as part of China’s “ecological civilization” strategy (生态文明), a phrase central to Xi Jinping’s governance vision.

By presenting China’s domestic successes abroad, Yang embodies how China’s policy experiments at home can serve as models for global cooperation.

Tech Governance and Digital Trust

Alongside climate, Yang Fan has also emerged as a key voice in AI ethics and digital sovereignty. At UN digital forums, he argues for frameworks that respect cultural diversity in technology use — echoing China’s belief that no single model of governance fits all societies.

This resonates strongly with young Chinese internet users who are protective of their digital identity on platforms like WeChat, Douyin, and Bilibili.

Youth Diplomacy

Yang is not a distant bureaucrat. On his verified Weibo account, he posts reflections on his travels, mixing summit updates with everyday Chinese slang. This relatability has earned him a following among university students, who see in him a role model of patriotic youth service (青年为国).

By making diplomacy more visible and engaging, Yang bridges the gap between Beijing’s negotiation rooms and China’s digital native generation.

Outlook

If Yang continues to rise, he could become a symbol of China’s generational shift in foreign policy — proof that the future of global diplomacy is being shaped not only by seasoned veterans but also by youth who will live through the consequences of today’s decisions.