U.S. special envoy for climate change Todd Stern said Tuesday that China is a "core partner" of his country in the global battle and was not a target of isolation during the recent Paris talks. He made the clarification here at a Foreign Press Center briefing in response to speculations about an informal group formed on the final days of the two-week UN climate conference earlier this month in the French capital.
The so-called "high ambition coalition" grouped the United States, the European Union and some developing countries but excluded large developing nations such as China and India. The grouping "had nothing to do with trying to isolate China," said Stern, whose country and China have launched exemplary climate cooperation in tackling the common threat against mankind.
Beijing has also denied that China was rejected by the temporary coalition during the Paris climate talks. "China always plays a constructive role in fighting against global climate change and has close communication with parties concerned," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said earlier this month when addressing similar isolation rumors. In dealing with global climate change, "we are all ambitious partners," and there is no possibility of one rejecting another, she added.
After extending the crucial Paris conference by one day, the 196 Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change wrapped up the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties on Dec. 12 with the unanimous adoption of a historic deal.
The Paris Agreement sets a target of holding the global average rise in temperature below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and preferably below 1.5 degrees. Besides, in line with the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, developed countries agreed to raise 100 billion U.S. dollars a year by 2020 to help developing countries transform their economies.
Latest comments