Can China Replace an Absent America in the Climate Fight: Beijing never bought the argument that reducing emissions would cause economic harm.

China did not base its economy on the Rockefeller’s standard oil model. Also China has a long history of doing things besides destroying the natural beauty of the environment for selfish gains. Perhaps the Chinese leaders see that having a healthy and prosperous population is in the best interest of the party. Although there is question about what prosperity really is ,(certainly the American model of conspicuous consumption of goods and resources cannot be sustained so a new model is needed).
Like zen gardening patience is a supreme virtue in world affairs and building long term national stability.