MADAM Tong Xiaoling, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam, in an exclusive interview with the Borneo Bulletin, spoke about China’s general position on climate change.
China is fully aware of the urgent need to address climate change and with a strong sense of
responsibility for the long-term interests of humanity, China is firmly committed to sustainable development
and has even formulated its National Climate Change Programme, said Madam Tong.
“Under the programme, China has taken a series of strong policies, measures and actions and made commendable contribution to global campaign against climate change.
“Even facing the international financial crisis, China still stands firm on its position, determination and action to address climate change.”
When asked on the particular specifics of how the world’s largest polluter in terms of greenhouse emissions would do so, the Chinese envoy listed out that on November 26, in an effort to reduce global warming, China’s State Council announced the targets for the control of greenhouse gas emissions, in that China would cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of Gross Domestic Product by 40-45 per cent by the year 2020 from the 2005 level.
China would also increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 15 per cent by 2020, as well as increase forest coverage by 40 million hectares and forest stock volume by 1.3 billion cubic metres by 2020 from the 2005 levels.
Madam Tong then focussed directly on China’s role in the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
“As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol, China is always committed to a full, effective and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol. Currently, international negotiations are underway in Copenhagen.
“All the sides are looking forward to a positive outcome of the conference. China strongly holds that no matter what form the final document will be carried in, it shall comply with the provisions of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol.”
She further underscored the fact that China “shall not deviate from the basic principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ or the mandate of the Bali Roadmap”.
“At this critical juncture, which concerns the future of our planet, China as a highly responsible country would like to make joint efforts with the international community to strive for a positive outcome of the conference,” she added.
The Chinese ambassador also highlighted some green facts.
Developed countries are consuming more than 70 per cent of the world’s energy with less than one fifth of the world’s total population and discharging over half of the greenhouse gases. Per capita emissions in the majority of developed countries are way higher than world average. Meanwhile, developing countries are victims of the deteriorating environment, and some island countries are even facing a risk of being submerged.
As a result of moral pressure, some developed nations have claimed that they are willing to provide funding to help developing countries cope with the impact of climate change.
However, she stated, “So far no concrete commitments have been made yet. Certain developed countries- even attempted to make developing countries pay, in one way or another, for climate change, ignoring the principle of common but differentiated responsibility.”
She concluded her point by saying: “Climate change is a common challenge to the whole of humanity. Both developed and developing countries should make joint efforts in addressing the issue and make the Earth safer for all future generations. China is willing to work together with Asean in addressing climate change and safeguarding the collective interests of the developing countries. “
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