While attending the Copenhagen conference on climate change from December 8 to 11, 2009, Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei met respectively with the heads of delegation or chief negotiators of countries including Denmark, Sweden, Cuba, Grenada, Barbados, Jamaica, Cape Verde, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, India, South Africa, Sudan, Ethiopia, Britain, France and Algeria as well as the Executive Secretary of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and held a press conference.
He said that to achieve success the Copenhagen conference must reflect the common will of all countries to tackle climate change and determine the emission reduction targets and mitigation actions on the basis of “common but differentiated responsibilities” in compliance with the different national conditions of developed and developing countries. Developed countries should implement their responsibilities and obligations of providing fund, technology transfer and capacity building support for developing countries and the outcome document must be acceptable to all parties and demonstrate the concerns and demands of all parties equitably, especially developing countries. The negotiation process of the document should be open and transparent and allows all parties to participate in.
He noted that the greenhouse gas emission control targets announced by the Chinese government comply with the “Bali Roadmap”. Being made after full argumentation, the targets are scientific, serious and in no way inferior to those of any developed country. They reflect the best efforts the Chinese government can make and show our sincere desire and tangible action to actively tackle climate change and promote the positive outcome of the Copenhagen conference. Being independent and voluntary without any precondition, China’s mitigation actions are neither linked to any country’s emission reduction target nor negotiable.
He stressed that China will participate in the negotiations of Copenhagen conference in a positive, constructive and responsible attitude and join hands with other countries to promote positive results of the conference.