Chinese premier stresses cooperation against climate change

• Source: Xinhua
• [10:14 December 20 2009]
• Comments

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao speaks at the leaders' meeting of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, Dec. 18, 2009.

In his last day at Copenhagen, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao reiterated China's stance and polices on combating climate change, and stressed the importance of cooperation on many occasions.

In his speech titled "Build Consensus and Strengthen Cooperation to Advance the Historical Process of Combating Climate Change" at the opening session of the leaders' meeting of the U.N. climate change conference, the premier detailed China's efforts to reduce emissions.

He also briefed the participants on the progress China had made in this endeavor, its future commitments, the difficulties it faced, and the need to stay true to the Kyoto Protocol and the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities.

"Climate change is a major global challenge. It is the common mission of the entire mankind to curb global warming and save our planet. It is incumbent upon all of us, each and every country, nation, enterprise and individual to act, and act now in response to this challenge, "said Wen.
 
"To meet the climate challenge, the international community must strengthen confidence, build consensus, make vigorous effort and enhance cooperation," he added.

Several international organizations including World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Oxfam International, and Greenpeace International have spoken highly of the speech, saying China will make great contributions to global efforts to combat climate change.

"The actions offered by China to reduce emissions are welcome, both in terms of initiatives already underway and future actions planned," said James Leape, director general of the WWF for Nature International in an interview with Xinhua.

The WWF chief also welcomed China's increased willingness to cooperate with the rest of the world in making emission data transparent.