China on Monday accused the developed nations of trying to “split” the developing countries to weaken their voice at the Copenhagen summit. It also called upon the developing countries to come together in the “common interest of mankind.”
Interacting with a group of journalists here on Monday, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yan said protests by the Alliance of Small Island States against the drafts prepared by G-77 countries and Brazil, South Africa, India and China for failing to address their concerns were the result of developed nations adopting a policy of “divide and rule.”
“Each country can voice their concern and, at the same time, work together to see that concrete action is taken by various sides, especially the developed countries to address global warming,” Mr. Zhang said.
“It is a matter of approach. If we are divided by developed countries, we will reduce our strength and not achieve our common goal: a positive outcome at the summit,” he said. “Then our efforts cannot give desired results for any developing country, including the small island states. It is in our interest that all developing countries should form a unified position at the summit,” he said.
Pointing out that he could not predict the outcome of the summit, the Ambassador said Brazil, South Africa, India and China (BASIC) were not working together for just themselves but for all developing countries. “We are relatively big and strong and carry more weight, views and interest. It is also in the interest of the developing countries that we take the lead and influence the process at Copenhagen.”
Describing the negotiations as “slow,” Mr. Zhang said the main reason was that the developed countries were now trying to backtrack on their position on such critical issues as mitigation, financial support and technology transfer. “This is not only incomprehensible and unacceptable but will also have a serious impact on the negotiation and hinder the Copenhagen conference from achieving positive results.”
Empty talk about international cooperation or only talking about the so-called “shared responsibility,” in disregard of historical responsibility and facts, could hardly convince the international community, he said.
All developing countries should work together and strengthen cooperation and coordination. It was vital to prevent the developed countries from breaking their promises. Developed countries should oppose any deviation from the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the mandate of the Bali Action Plan, the Ambassador said.
On China’s response to climate change, Mr. Zhang said China’s voluntary reduction targets did not attach any condition; nor was it linked to any other countries’ action. So it was non-negotiable. For a developing country like China, tackling climate change did not mean sacrificing its development or perpetuating poverty and backwardness, he said.
