China opposes EU aviation emissions levy

BEIJING - China said Thursday it opposes the European Union (EU) carbon levy on air travel, insisting the issue should be resolved through multilateral consultations.

The EU's unilateral decision to impose the levy has aroused "strong and broad dissatisfaction from non-EU countries," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a routine briefing.

According to recent media reports quoting EU Commissioner for Climate Change Connie Hedegaard, some 1,200 airlines have agreed to submit emissions data, although eight Chinese and two Indian airlines have not,

"We have no information on how many airlines have handed over the data to the EU, but none of the governments in contact with China accept the EU's moves," said Hong.

China has voiced its opposition on many occasions, and in February banned its airlines from complying with the scheme, which charges airlines based on their carbon emissions from international flights into and out of Europe.

The spokesman said, "China's stance on the issue is consistent and firm.

"Like many other countries, China opposes the EU taking unilateral measures in international aviation, and upholds that the issue must be solved within a multilateral framework through full consultations."

China hopes the European side can bear in mind the larger picture of international cooperation on climate change and the sustainable development of international aviation, adopt a constructive and practical attitude and engage in full communication and coordination with all parties concerned including China to seek a proper settlement of the issue acceptable to all, Hong added.