RESPONSIBLE PROMISE ON TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE
Another eye-catching issue in 2009 on the international stage is how to deal with climate change, which has imposed increasing challenges and threats on the development and even the fate, in the long term, of mankind.
Despite its tremendous need for development, China, a developing country, has taken unprecedented efforts in recent years to address the global issue.
On Nov. 26, China announced that it was going to reduce the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP in 2020 by 40 to 45 percent from the 2005 level.
China made the commitment with great courage given the harsh realities it faces. China still has 150 million poor people and its economy needs robust development to improve people's living standard and promote industrialization.
However, these difficulties will not hinder China's pursuit to be a responsible member of the international community as China has realized the urgency and significance to contain climate change.
In his address to the opening session of the final summit segment of the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen on Friday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said it was with a sense of responsibility to the Chinese people and mankind that the Chinese government had set the target for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
"This is a voluntary action China has taken in light of its national circumstances," Wen said.
"We have not attached any condition to the target, nor have we linked it to the target of any other country," the Chinese premier said.
"We will honor our word with real action," Wen said. "Whatever outcome this conference may produce, we will be fully committed to achieving and even exceeding the target."
The premier said China faced the arduous task of developing the economy and improving people's livelihoods.
However, China had always regarded addressing climate change as an important strategic task, he said, adding that, between 1990 and 2005, China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP were reduced by 46 percent.
China's positions on climate change win recognition
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- International organizations have spoken highly of China's strong commitments on greenhouse gas emissions cut, saying China will make great contributions to global efforts to combat climate change. Full story
Chinese premier's attendance at Copenhagen summit sends hope, confidence to world
BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao brought hope and confidence to the world in its fight against climate change by attending the summit of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Saturday. Full story
Premier expresses China's sincerity at UN climate conference
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Friday that China had made unremitting efforts and a positive contribution to the global fight against climate change through energy conservation and pollution reduction. Full story
Premier: China's mitigation action unconditional
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Friday China had not attached any condition to its target for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions or linked it to the target of any other country. Full story
Wen: China faces special difficulty in emissions reduction
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- China's population of 1.3 billion presented a special difficulty in cutting emissions but it would do whatever was within its capacity to address global climate change, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday. Full story
Special report: Yearender 2009
