China says economy slowdown should not waver efforts to tackle climate change
7/11/2008 16:29
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has warned that the unfolding financial crisis
should not waver the world's efforts in addressing the climate change.
He
made the remarks in a high-level conference on climate change that opened in
Beijing today. Representatives of governments, international and
non-governmental organizations from nearly 100 countries are taking part in the
conference that focuses on technology development and transfer.
"As the
global financial crisis spreads and worsens, and the world economy slows down
apparently, the international community must not waver in its determination to
tackle climate change, nor must they ease in its actions," Wen said.
He urged
developed nations to take responsibility and obligations in addressing climate
change, including changing their unsustainable way of life.
Premier Wen also
urged developed nations to help developing countries to cope with the global
climate change.
He said the Chinese government has always taken a responsible
attitude towards and "laid great importance" to climate change.
The event
scheduled to run through tomorrow is jointly organized by the Chinese government
and the United Nations, in a move to facilitate international cooperation on
technology development and transfer as well as the international negotiation
process on climate change.
The conference will cover a wide array of topics
including the current status of technology transfer and best practices,
mechanism for overcoming barriers to technology transfer, roles and potential
collaboration of public and private sectors, among others.
Representatives of
the conference are expected to draw a proclamation on climate change issue, and
the proclamation will serve as a reference to the upcoming Parties Conference of
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that is due to
kick of in Poland next month.
Zhang Ping, the minister of National
Development and Reform Commission, the country's economic regulator, called on
developed countries to carry out obligations and duties under the UNFCCC, to
provide developing countries with financial support.
UN Secretary- General
Ban Ki-moon said earlier: "It is proper to hold the conference in Beijing,
because China is making efforts to research and develop renewable resources,
energy-saving and other technologies to cope with climate change and seek a
sustainable development."
Chinese government has set a target of reducing
energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 20 percent and
major pollutant emissions by 10 percent from the 2005 levels by 2010 to protect
environment, save energy and ensure a sustainable development.
Wen said at
the conference that China "has confidence to fulfill this goal".
Xinhua
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