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China welcomes Bali deal
18/12/2007 14:07 - (SA)
Beijing - China on Tuesday welcomed an international deal aimed at curbing climate change, while insisting again a big onus rested on industrial powers to help developing nations reduce greenhouse gases.
"China congratulates the successful Bali meeting and welcomes the roadmap and will continue to participate in future negotiations and play a constructive role," foreign ministry spokesperson Qin Gang said.
Qin said negotiators had overcome many difficulties in reaching a consensus on the roadmap, which set a 2009 deadline for a new treaty to tackle global warming once the current Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.
"We hope the developed countries can... take the lead in reducing greenhouse gases and before 2012 continue to provide assistance and support to developing countries and provide capital, technology and capacity building," Qin said.
"We hope that through joint efforts of all parties concerned we can make comprehensive and effective arrangements for the implementation of a (new) convention before the end of 2009."
Qin's remarks were the first official comments from his ministry on the accord reached at the Indonesian island of Bali over the weekend.
The roadmap does not specify clear emissions goals for after 2012, but mentions the figure of 25-40% cuts for developed countries by 2020.
China, which has said it does not back any new proposals that put binding curbs on its booming economy, has consistently underscored the need for richer countries to transfer climate-friendly technology to poorer countries.
China, which considers itself a developing nation, ranks alongside the United States as the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions. - Sapa-AFP
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