China backs developing states to combat climate change

DOHA - China has devoted substantial resources to helping developing countries deal with the severe challenges posed by climate change, a senior Chinese official said on Tuesday.

The country has earmarked $200 million for this cause over a period of three years, Xie Zhenhua, head of China's delegation to the ongoing UN climate talks in Doha, Qatar, said.

The funds will be used to finance climate programs in Africa, the least developed countries and small island countries, Xie, also deputy director of China's National Development and Reform Commission, added.

Some developing countries have made remarkable progress in improving energy efficiency with China's help, said Xie.

For example, Grenada, a small island country in the Caribbean, has halved its energy consumption and saved 1 million dollars in public spending by using Chinese-provided energy-saving technologies and equipment, according to the Chinese official.

China has also offered training programs on climate change to hundreds of officials and technicians from other developing countries and the number will reach 2,000 in the next two years, he added.

The Chinese efforts, part of developing countries' drive to promote so-called South-South cooperation on climate change, was welcomed by international deputies at the Doha climate talks.

Tewolde Berhan, director-general of Ethiopia's Environmental Protection Authority, praised China's contribution to the South-South cooperation, citing China's support for his country's hydropower development as an example.

Helen Clark, administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, said at a meeting held on the sidelines of the Doha climate talks that South-South cooperation is important for environment protection and the fight against global warming.