China, France call for more cooperation on climate change

World Today

Xinhua photo

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and French President Francois Hollande participated in the China France Climate and Green Economy Forum in Beijing on Tuesday, following the state visit of the French president.

Leaders of the two countries issued a joint statement on holding global warming to a 2-degree Celsius temperature rise by the end of this century.

To address climate change effects on developing nations, they say it is important to ensure that developed countries raise $100 billion annually by 2020.

Xinhua photo

France promises to increase its funding support from 3 billion Euros to 5 billion Euros ($3.3 billion-$5.5 billion) annually by 2020, while China reaffirms its commitment to give 20 billion yuan ($3.16 billion) to establish the South-South Climate Cooperation Fund, as was launched in September during the APEC meeting in Beijing.

Both sides also called for additional and stronger cooperation in coping with climate change and building a brand new industry focused on energy-saving and environmental protection.

Li Keqiang said that China plans to become a moderately developed country by the middle of this century and therefore currently needs a medium-high speed rate of economic development.

“Now China is still in the process of industrialization and urbanization, but we need to realize that through intelligent and sustainable means. That gives more room for technological cooperation in the field of energy saving and environmental protection between the two countries,” Li said.

The French president went on to say that cooperation between China and France on climate issues will help boost the negotiations during the upcoming climate conference in Paris, and ease the similar concerns among the international community on the economic development and climate change.

Jointly held by the China France Committee and China’s National Development and Reform Commission, more than 600 participants from around 200 Chinese and French enterprises gathered at the forum to exchange views on cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the energy, transportation, recycling and IT sectors.

Story by CCTV News


Calling for more cooperation on climate change

The China-France Climate and Green Economy Forum in Beijing has business leaders discussing sustainable development and climate change cooperation.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and French President Francois Hollande addressed the meeting. CCTV’s Tang Bo reports.


David Waskow on China and France’s cooperation on climate change

CCTV America interviewed David Waskow.
He’s the International Climate Director at the World Resource Institute.

David Waskow on China and France\'s cooperation on climate change

CCTV America interviewed David Waskow. He's the International Climate Director at the World Resource Institute.