On 25 July, the International Energy Research Centre (a joint venture between Shanghai Jiaotong University and the China Energy Fund Committee) celebrated its fifth anniversary by holding the 2017 International Energy Forum. Chinese and international experts were invited to discuss the international energy situation and China’s energy development. Dr Xinmin Hu and Dr Leo Lester were invited to participate in the discussions, with Dr Hu presenting on the ongoing financial, technical and policy challenges facing the low-carbon energy transition in China and across the world.