On the global stage, Lees sighed at the unfavorable developments regarding tackling climate change.

It's clear from a scientific point of view that, despite all the efforts that have been made worldwide, the world has not done much to solve the climate crisis. "We are still increasing the level of emissions, and we are still destabilizing the global climate," he said.

China's role will be essential against this backdrop, and, because climate and the environment are part of a bigger picture, there are very many things that China could do to help the international community to tackle these problems, he stressed.

As the largest user of coal, China is still contributing enormously to the problem in spite of its immense, successful efforts to limit emissions, he said, adding what China does is fundamentally important because of the scale of its impact on the global environment.

He also highlighted the potential role of China in supporting indebted developing nations in their fight to cope with the climate crisis.

The biggest problem now lies in the developing world, in terms of the scale of emissions and the needs of the poor, he said. Investment in green development in developing nations can produce a bigger payoff than the investment in rich countries.

He said there's an opportunity for China, with its enormous experience, to collaborate to help developing states address these problems.

"Frankly, it's essential that China takes a lead on these questions, because you have the knowledge, you have the capability and you have the resources to help," he noted.

"It means you have to combine your immediate economic advantage of selling cheap electric vehicles, such a short-term, immediate trade advantage... with what I would call a longer-term strategic view of solidarity to build a stable world in which human activities can be matched with the capacity of nature to observe our impacts," he said.

This is an opportunity for China to look beyond immediate issues and map out a strategy, he underscored.

"In this respect, you don't just help the developing countries, you help the whole world," he said.