Environment     

Chinese delegation hails Durban progress

Xinhua, December 11, 2011

• Xie Zhenhua, vice director of China's National Development and Reform Commission and head of the Chinese delegation, attends the plenary session of the UN Climate Conference (COP17) in Durban, South Africa, Dec. 11, 2011. (Xinhua/Li Qihua)

  The Chinese delegation said here Sunday that the just-concluded United Nations climate change conference produced "progressive and balanced outcome."

  After 14 days of gruelling talks, the conference passed a package of decisions on such subjects as the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, the Green Climate Fund and a new process to arrange emission-cutting pledges after 2020.

  Xie Zhenhua, head of the Chinese delegation, told Xinhua that the outcome is fully in accordance with the mandate of the UN Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and the Bali Roadmap.

  The outcome, he added, is also in line with the two-track negotiation process and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

  "The conference made decisions on the arrangement of the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol, which is the most concerned issue of developing countries," Xie noted.

  "Also, there is an important progress on the finance issue, the establishment of the Green Climate Fund," he added.

  However, Xie said, the Durban conference did not accomplish the completion of negotiations under the Bali Roadmap.

  "The implementation of the Cancun Agreements and the Durban Outcome will not be achieved in a short run," Xie said. "A heavy load of work ahead on the post-2020 arrangement needs to be done in order to enhance the implementation of the Convention."

  Xie also cautioned that some developed countries are reluctant to reduce emissions and support developing countries with financial and technical aid.

  "The lack of political will is a main element that hinders cooperation on addressing climate change in the international community," he said. "We expect political sincerity from developed countries next year in Qatar."

  Xie stressed that China will make further contributions to the global cause of tackling climate change by taking stronger domestic actions and continuing to play an active role in relevant international talks.

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