Xi sends strong signals at Paris climate talks
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E-mail Xinhua, December 1, 2015
CHINA'S CONFIDENCE, RESOLVE
With regard to China's commitment to combating climate change, Xi said the world's second largest economy has confidence and resolve in walking its words.
As a matter of fact, China, as a developing country, has taken bold actions to reduce carbon emissions with ambitious climate goals.
According to an action plan submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat late June, China has pledged to cut its carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 60-65 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, raise the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to about 20 percent and peak its carbon emissions by the same year.
"This requires strenuous efforts but we have confidence and resolve to fulfill our commitments," Xi said.
China has been actively engaged in the global campaign on climate change, now topping the world in terms of energy conservation and utilization of new and renewable energies.
Aimed at a more sustainable and balanced way of growth, China's next national development blueprint seeks to promote clean industrial production, low-carbon development and energy conservation from 2016 to 2020.
China will, on the basis of technological and institutional innovation, adopt new policy measures to improve industrial mix, build low-carbon system, develop green building and low-carbon transportation and establish a nationwide carbon-emission trading market, Xi elaborated.
To act on climate change is not only driven by China's domestic needs for sustainable development, but also driven by its sense of responsibility to fully engage in global governance, and to forge a community of shared future for humankind, the action plan explained.
ADVANCING GLOBAL COOPERATION
Xi stressed that the Chinese government will continue to advance international cooperation on climate change, and earnestly implement its policy commitment to south-south cooperation.
In September, China announced the establishment of the China South-South Climate Cooperation Fund, with an input of 20 billion yuan (about 3 billion dollars), to help other developing countries combat climate change "in a show of greater support," as Xi put it.
Next year, China will launch cooperation projects to set up 10 pilot low-carbon industrial parks and start 100 mitigation and adaptation programs in other developing countries, and provide them with 1000 training opportunities on climate change, Xi announced.
China will continue to promote international cooperation in such areas as clean energy, disaster prevention and mitigation, ecological protection and climate-smart agriculture, and low-carbon and smart cities, he said.
China will also help other developing countries build up their financing capabilities for dealing with climate change, Xi added.
POSITIVE REACTIONS
Xi's speech at the Paris gathering has drawn positive reactions from delegates and experts attending the 12-day event.
His remarks are welcomed, said Samantha Smith, leader of World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) Global Climate and Energy Initiative, noting Xi has detailed China's cooperation plans with other developing countries in the Monday speech.
The principles of "common but differentiated responsibilities", "equity" and "respective capabilities" as Xi reaffirmed in his remarks are what the UNFCCC requires, commented Przemyslaw Sobanski, an official at Poland's Department of Sustainable Development and deputy head of the Polish delegation to the summit.
Speaking highly of China's initiative of setting up the climate cooperation fund, Sobanski said China is playing a responsible role in coping with challenges brought about by climate change.
Xi's remarks show his resolve in addressing climate change and pushing for a strong agreement with all parties to take actions, said Jennifer Morgan, head of the climate program for the World Resources Institute, a global research organization that has been working on climate change for over two decades.
China is ready to step into a pivotal role in reaching common ground on key issues in Paris, Morgan added.
