China says it holds fast to Durban outcome

BEIJING- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Friday that the country holds fast to the Durban outcome and will work with the international community to promote negotiations on climate change.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a press briefing when asked to respond to EU officials criticizing China at the Bonn UN Climate Change Conference.

The Durban talks last December saw the passing of a package of decisions on topics such as the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, the Green Climate Fund and a new process for arranging emission-cutting pledges after 2020.

Hong said China has been actively participating in international cooperation efforts to cope with climate change and played a positive role in achieving the package deals at the Durban talks.

However, EU participants warned Wednesday that efforts to forge a new global pact on climate change by 2015 were in danger of floundering, as China was blocking an agenda for a newly established body dubbed the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP).

Su Wei, China's chief negotiator at the Bonn talks, on Wednesday criticized some developed countries for using the "Durban Platform" as a means to jump from the legally-binding system established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

China insisted that negotiations on the "Durban Platform" should be based on the legally-binding system established under the UNFCCC, said Hong.

Hong said the negotiations should adhere to the principles of equity and "common but differentiated responsibilities," as well as address the balance between participants' historical responsibilities and practical capabilities.

Noting that Western countries have historically been responsible for carbon emissions during their respective industrialization processes, Hong said they should take substantial measures to reduce gas emissions, implement their commitments in relevant international accords and provide financial and technological support to developing countries.

"China is willing to work with all parties to carry out the Durban outcomes and jointly push forward the negotiation process," he said.

He also called on developed economies, including EU member states, to show their political sincerity in cooperating with developing countries to jointly advance the climate change talks.

The Bonn talks, held from May 14-25, were attended by around 3,000 participants from 181 countries, including government delegates, business and industry representatives, environmental organizations and research institutions.