China is one of the leading countries in the world that has a serious impact on the Earth’s climate change. The state of China’s society, economy, nature and the development of global processes depend on the ability of leadership to implement the sustainable development concept. Global warming and its adverse socio-economic and political effects present a threat to China’s sustainable development. China’s climate policy has both domestic and foreign aspects. The purpose of this article is to analyze and summarize the works of researchers in the context of characterizing various climatic impacts on the sustainable development of the country. China’s sustainable development concept should be interpreted with the country’s unique features in mind. The environmental aspect of the official ideology is engrained in China’s domestic and foreign policy. Inclusion of the environmental aspect in key documents is conditioned by the external socio-economic and political challenges. China is promoting global climate policy initiatives due to the more active involvement of the developing states in combating climate change. The comprehensive approach of the Chinese leadership will ensure achievement of the sustainable development goals.