Developed countries should continue to take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions after 2012 when the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol expires, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on Monday.
Speaking at a UN climate change meeting in New York, Yang said that the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" should be adhered to in global efforts to address the challenges of climate change.
Developed countries should meet their emission reduction targets set in the Kyoto Protocol, help developing countries build the capacity to tackle climate change and continue to take the lead in reducing emissions after 2012, he said.
Developing countries should also take proactive measures and control the growth of greenhouse gas emissions to the best of their ability and in keeping with their particular conditions, he said.
The top Chinese diplomat said the basic framework established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) must be upheld and the convention, which has played a leading role in global cooperation in climate change, should continue to serve as the framework for future cooperation.
Mitigation, adaptation, financing and technology, all being important means to address climate change, should receive equal attention, Yang said.
It is necessary to increase financial assistance and technology transfer to developing countries; but in doing so, one should not put undue emphasis on the role of market mechanisms, he added.
Expounding the policies made, and measures taken, by China - a developing country severely affected by climate change - Yang said the government considers environmental protection a basic national policy and scientific thinking on development as a guiding principle in governance.
The country has set up the National Leading Group on Addressing Climate Change, passed a series of laws and regulations and formulated the National Program on Addressing Climate Change, he said.
"Acting in accordance with the UNFCCC, its protocol and the principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities', China is living up to its due international responsibilities and obligations and will make a greater contribution to international cooperation in climate change," he said.
Chinawill also continue to act according to its ability to help Africa and small, developing island states enhance their capacity to adapt to climate change, he added.
During a meeting with foreign ministers of the EU "troika" on the sidelines of the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, Yang urged efforts to advance talks on a cooperation protocol for Sino-EU partnership and render the process of talks into one that pushes forward the development of Sino-EU relations.
(China Daily 09/26/2007 page 2)
（英语点津 Linda 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Jonathan Stewart is a media and journalism expert from the United States with four years of experience as a writer and instructor. He accepted a foreign expert position with chinadaily.com.cn in June 2007 following the completion of his Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Comparative Politics.
