From power outages to zero carbon: How a small Chinese island powers 32,000 people with green energy

Editor's note: CGTN has recently launched the Ask China campaign to satisfy international audiences' curiosity about China. We invite experts, professionals, editors, reporters and others to provide answers to the insightful questions sent to CGTN by our viewers from around the world. This video provided by Jiujiang Converged Media Center explains how green energy could actually change people's lives, by showing the audience how a small Chinese island managed to power 32,000 people with green energy. The video reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

China often talks about "carbon peak" and "carbon neutrality." But are these just slogans, or do they actually change people's lives?

On Mianchuan Island in Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, a community of about 32,000 residents is offering a real answer. Once plagued by frequent power outages during storms, the island has transformed into China's first operational zero-carbon island. Today, its wind and other green energy sources generate enough electricity to power the entire community–and even send surplus power back to nearby cities.

During our visit, we spoke with Gao Zijuan, a local supermarket owner who has witnessed the change firsthand. In the past, storms meant spoiled goods, unstable signals, and sleepless nights. Now, she says the spinning turbines bring stable electricity and peace of mind.

This island is more than a policy experiment–it's a glimpse of how China's carbon goals can translate into real benefits for everyday people. Watch the video to see how green energy is reshaping life on this island.