But like a leopard it is hard for the West to change its spots and the US and the EU continue to try and convince other countries to recognize their leadership, and because of this they are inclined to belittle China's achievements and initiatives.

Yet, even Brussels, which likes to boast its carbon emissions reduction target as the world emission heir leadership, could do more, according to Jo Leinen, the member of the European Parliament who headed its delegation to the UN climate conference in Copenhagen in 2009.

I met with Leinen in his office on Tuesday, the day before China and the US announced their climate deal targets for 2030. He pointed out that in reality 2030 is too late, and the reductions must be made earlier. He said Brussels would like China to make 2020 the peak year for its carbon emissions. Although that is unlikely, he said if Beijing compromised on 2025, then Brussels had the room to increase its greenhouse gas reduction target.

Of course, if that happened then Brussels would label it as a big success for its leadership.

However, it is risky to count on Beijing to do so. The West should be familiar with China's attitude after the previous rounds of talks, particularly in the Copenhagen negotiations five years ago. For China, it is simple and straightforward: It will concentrate on its own target no matter how much others commit to.

Beijing has told the world what it will do by 2030 in its deal with Washington. And it is unlikely to change even if Brussels can do more.

The author is China Daily's chief correspondent in Europe.