China to play active role in climate change, enhance cooperation

MARRAKECH, Morocco - China will continue to play an active role in climate change with much stronger actions, while enhancing cooperation with related parties.

The 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) is being held in the Moroccan city of Marrakech.

Participants in the meeting are expected to identify ways for a potential future coalition and adopt a declaration on health, environment and climate change.

MUCH STRONGER ACTIONS

China has set up an ambitious target to reach the peaking of CO2 emissions around 2030, Xie Ji, a deputy chief of the Chinese delegation, said Thursday.

"Many cities promised they can reach their peaking before 2030, and a few cities try to achieve the target around 2020," said Xie, adding that many industries, especially energy-intensive ones, were asked to control CO2 emissions and try to reach the peaking around 2020.

Gou Haibo, another deputy chief of the Chinese delegation, said Wednesday that China would continue to uphold a development concept highlighting innovation, coordination, greenness, openness and sharing.

He said that China would act positively and forcefully in maintaining the international mechanism, promoting international cooperation and combating climate change.

CHINA-US COOPERATION CONTINUES

China's policies will not be affected by any external changes, Chen Zhihua, a member of the Chinese delegation, said Friday.

"No matter what happens in the new US government, China will continue to constructively participate in the international climate change process," Chen said.

Chen was referring to concerns that the United States will withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change after US President-elect Donald Trump, who vowed to cancel the agreement during his campaign, takes office in January.

"We still need to wait," Chen said, adding that now is not the right time to assess it.

Even if the United States withdraws from the agreement, cooperation between China and the US will continue, Chen said. "This is the attitude we hold toward the matter."

Catherine Novelli, US undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, said the United States and China have an "incredible working relationship" on climate issues.

"And I think it would portend well for leadership for the future," Novelli said. "I think everybody acknowledges that the momentum for Paris was generated by the agreement between the US and China."

Novelli also said her country would continue the existing cooperation with China after Trump takes office in January.