FM: blaming China for climate change "unfair, unscientific"

Source: Xinhua | 03-12-2008 11:11

BEIJING, March 12 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to join the international community in tackling climate change, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi reaffirmed here on Wednesday, saying that it is "unfair and unscientific" to blame China for greenhouse gas emission and climate change.

Yang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of China's parliament that the combined emission of three Chinese were less than that of one person from developed countries on average.

"If one person from developed countries could eat three slices of bread for breakfast while those from developing countries could only have one slice, who do you think should be on diet if we look at greenhouse gas emission from the perspective that all men are born equal?" he said.

"I don't think it's justified for some people to take on moral high ground and speak plausibly about the overall amount of China's greenhouse gas emission," Yang said.

The foreign minister noted that when the issue of climate change was being discussed, people should look at not only the aggregate, but also per capita figures, not only the present but also the history, not only production but also consumption.

"As a good part of China's high quality products were exported, I hope overseas consumers could realize the rising pressure China is facing for emission that should have taken place in their own home country," he said.

Yang said that the climate change should mainly be attributed to the greenhouse gas emission of developed countries. In the period of time to come, however, China's greenhouse gas emission would inevitably increase.

China welcomes the Bali Road Map and would make great efforts and contributions to joint international cooperation in tackling climate change, he said.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei