China Urges Rich Countries to Stick to Kyotol Protocol in Climate Change Talks

The UN talks on climate change in Tianjin are designed to be the precursor to the world's next big attempt in fighting climate change in Cancun, Mexico.

The clock is ticking as the end of the first commitment period of the current key treaty on climate change nears. The Kyotol Protocol will expire in 2012.

But parties in Tianjin have been divided into two camps on whether the world only needs an amendment for the Protocol or a new legally binding document to replace it.

Huang Huikang, special representative for climate change negotiations from China's Foreign Ministry, points out that some industrialized countries are trying to get away from their commitments by replacing the Kyotol Protocol.

He says China has called for industrialized players to meet their pledges, especially on emissions reductions and offering developing countries funding and technological aid.

The Chinese envoy says the Tianjin meetings have advanced some of the climate change talks, but has not resolved any major problems.

Some delegates, such as Edvardo Calvo with the Peruvian delegation, are more optimistic.
"Tianjin has been very helpful for all the parties to get clarity on the different options that have been submitted. The connections and implications are now clearer. And for sure, Tianjin is a very important milestone on the road to Cancun."

Marcelo Theoto Rocha from the Brazilian delegation says that the UN talks are not stalled.
"At least something shows the thing is moving. I think it is the right message for Cancun. This meeting is very important, because we have the chance to narrow down the differences and exchange views."

China's negotiator, Huang Huikang, says he hopes more agreements can be reached when environment officials and ministers meet in Cancun. But he says his expectations for the major summit are not high.

For CRI at the Tianjin UN climate change conference, I'm Su Yi.