China helps developing countries tackle climate change

Over 1 billion yuan allocated, plus promise of assistance with training officials

China has allocated over 1 billion yuan ($143 million) since 2011 to help developing countries tackle global warming, a senior Chinese official said on the sidelines of the annual UN climate change conference in Madrid.

Zhao Yingmin, vice-minister of ecology and environment, said China had so far signed a memorandum of understanding on climate cooperation with 33 developing countries. It had also offered training to over 2,000 officials and technicians from 120 countries working in environment or climate-related jobs.

"Climate change, which poses a grim challenge to mankind's survival and development, is an urgent threat faced by all the nations in the world. Developing countries are the biggest victims of the change," he said at a forum on South-South climate cooperation, which focuses on the exchange of resources, technology and knowledge between developing countries.

In addition to the unfavorable effects of global warming, these countries also faced the pressing tasks of promoting development, eradicating poverty and improving medical services, he said.

"We should join hands and borrow experiences from each other to promote the progress of global civilization and build a community with a shared future for mankind," he stressed.

Zhao also pledged greater efforts to help developing countries.

China is seeking to join hands with United Nations bodies, international organizations and financial institutions to support action on climate change in developing countries, he said.