China Responds to Criticism Over Lack of Climate Change Efforts: "We Are Already Making Maximum Efforts"

Special Envoy for Climate Change of China, Xie Zhenhua [Photo by EPA]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Xie Zhenhua, China's climate change envoy, emphasized that China is making its utmost efforts, stating that the United States wasted time responding to climate issues.

As criticism arises that China's carbon reduction efforts, as the world's largest carbon emitter, are insufficient, Chinese authorities appear to be actively refuting this.

On the 2nd (local time), Xie told reporters in Glasgow, UK, where the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) was held, according to reports by AP News and others.

Having played a significant role in the 2015 Paris Agreement, he reiterated the existing stance that it is the United States and other developed countries, not China, that should take faster carbon reduction actions.

He said, "China is already making the greatest possible efforts to respond to climate change," adding that it is difficult for China to start reducing its dependence on coal power plants any sooner.

He also stated, "The fact that China is currently the largest emitter is because China is at a special stage of development." He added that China will be able to accelerate carbon reduction in the future.

Xie also pointed out that due to the United States' withdrawal from climate change efforts, "we wasted five years." He emphasized, "We must work harder to make up for it."

Previously, the United States withdrew from the Paris Agreement in 2017 during the administration of former President Donald Trump. The U.S. rejoined the Paris Agreement through an executive order shortly after President Joe Biden took office earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Xie met with UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres to discuss climate change-related issues, including support for funding and technology to developing countries, according to Xinhua News Agency.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.