Developed countries should continue to take the lead in reducing
greenhouse gas emissions after 2012 when the first commitment
period of the Kyoto Protocol expires, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang
Jiechi said Monday.
Speaking at a UN climate change meeting in New York, Yang said
that the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities"
should be adhered to in global efforts to address the challenges of
climate change.
Developed countries should meet their emission reduction targets
set in the Kyoto Protocol, help developing countries build the
capacity to tackle climate change and continue to take the lead in
reducing emissions after 2012, he said.
Developing countries should also take proactive measures and
control the growth of greenhouse gas emissions to the best of their
ability and in keeping with their particular conditions, he
said.
The top Chinese diplomat said that the basic framework
established under the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) must be upheld and the convention, which
has played a leading role in global cooperation in climate change,
should continue to serve as the framework for future
cooperation.
Mitigation, adaptation, financing and technology, being all
important means in addressing climate change, should receive equal
attention, Yang said.
It is necessary to increase financial assistance and technology
transfer to developing countries. But in doing so, one should not
put undue emphasis on the role of the market mechanism, he
added.
Expounding the policies and measures taken by China, a
developing country severely affected by climate change, Yang said
the Chinese government takes environmental protection as a basic
national policy and scientific thinking on development as a guiding
principle in governance.
China has set up the National Leading Group on Addressing
Climate Change, passed a series of laws and regulations and
formulated the National Program on Addressing Climate Change, he
said.
"Acting in accordance with the UNFCCC, its protocol and the
principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities,' China is
living up to its due international responsibilities and obligations
and will make a greater contribution to international cooperation
in climate change," he said.
China will also continue to act according to its ability to help
Africa and Small Island Developing States enhance their capacity to
adapt to climate change, he added.
(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2007)
