China opposes the European Union's "mandatory and unilateral" legislation of a carbon emissions tax on airlines, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

China has made clear its stance on this issue and has expressed its concern to the EU via bilateral channels, said spokesman Liu Weimin at a daily press conference.

Many countries oppose the EU's move, and China hopes the EU will act with caution and settle the issue in a positive and pragmatic way through sound consultation with relevant countries, Liu said.

According to the plan, all airlines flying to and from the 27 EU countries will have to pay for 15 percent of the polluting rights accorded to them in 2012, which will rise to 18 percent in the period of 2013-2020.

U.S. and Canadian airlines filed a lawsuit against this legislation but it was dismissed by the EU's highest court.

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