Foreign and Military Affairs

Cancun climate talks send 'positive' signals

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-11 22:19

CANCUN, Mexico - The outcome of the UN climate change conference in Cancun sent "positive" signals to the international community, the Chinese delegation said Saturday.

Conference delegates finally reached a deal to fight global warming early Saturday after an all-night session, overruling an objection from Bolivia.

"As for the outcome of this conference, first of all, it adheres to the (UN) Convention (on climate change), the Kyoto Protocol and the Bali Roadmap, as well as the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, which ensures that next year's negotiation will continue along the two tracks decided by the Bali Roadmap," the Chinese delegation said in a statement.

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Climate conference in Cancun

"Second, progress has been made at different levels in the areas where developing countries have concerns, such as adaptation, technology transfer, finance and capacity building, and the negotiation process will move on, which sends positive signals to the international community," the delegation said.

It said the conference failed to conclude the negotiation of the Bali Roadmap and this indicated next year's negotiation task would be "extremely difficult."

The delegation expected all parties to display strong political will and conclude the negotiation on the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol at the next conference, to be held in Durban, South Africa. In particular, that conference should establish effective mechanisms for finance, technology transfer and adaptation to support developing countries' efforts in addressing climate change, successfully conclude the negotiation in accordance with the mandate of the Bali Roadmap and make a big step forward in the international cooperation in combating climate change.

China would continue to make positive efforts towards this end, the delegation said.

The delegation reaffirmed that the Chinese government would hold a highly responsible attitude toward the Chinese people and people in the world, and remain committed to promoting green, low-carbon and sustainable development as its contribution to combating climate change.

The Chinese delegation also hailed the efforts of the Mexican government and its people during the negotiations and their hospitality. It also appreciated the positive role of the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The two-week-long talks in Cancun aimed at setting new targets and finding new ways to combat climate change attracted 25,000 government officials, businessmen and researchers from over 190 countries.