When Premier Wen Jiabao addressed political leaders attending
the Third East Asia Summit yesterday in Singapore, the
international community had a chance to better understand China's
views and position on climate change.
Wen has time again assured that the world's most populous
country is fully aware of its due responsibility in the global
effort to combat the scourge and is ready to work with other
countries, especially its Asian neighbors, for a greener world.
Just like Wen said in his speech, climate change is an issue of
development. There has never been more consensus at the
international arena like today that the world is in dire need of
concrete countermeasures instead of finger pointing.
Therefore, it is heartening to see more international efforts,
the Third East Asia Summit for one, being dedicated to committing
countries in the world to face up to the challenge together.
Like many developing countries, China has been bearing the brunt
of climate change. The Chinese government has made solemn vows to
take the road of sustainable development and build a harmonious
society in which man and nature can live together.
While raising social awareness on energy saving and
environmental conservation, the Chinese government has also set
short-term and long-term goals for cutting energy consumption,
reducing the discharge of pollutants, and green house gas
emissions.
All these efforts are clear evidence that China is a responsible
country even though its per capita emission of carbon dioxide is
less than one-third of the average level of the developed
countries.
With more than 20 million rural people living in poverty and
over 22 million urban poor, the country has an obligation to
improve the living standards of its people by driving the wheel of
economic development even faster.
However, China, in the meantime, fully understands the risks of
developing at the expense of the environment.
Hence, it has been steadfast in its stance to proceed with
economic growth, social development and environmental protection in
a coordinated and balanced way.
The world can never free itself from the threat of climate
change before all countries stand together and translate their
commitments into real action.
(China Daily November 22, 2007)