Ban Ki-moon: China’s Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction is “Commendable"

On July 14, 2009, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon began a visit to China. The visit included attending the signing ceremony of an energy-saving program, a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao and the Premier Wen Jiabao, talks with foreign minister Yang Jiechi as well as media interviews.

In the context of global warming, climate change is one of the key concerns of the international community at present. Without exception, climate change was one of the major themes of Ban Ki-moon’s visit to China. He said that “climate change is a top priority for the entire international community”. He also indicated the developed countries were the cause of most greenhouse gas emissions, saying that the reduction targets for greenhouse gases set at the G8 summit by leaders in early July was evidently inadequate, and urged developed countries to establish mid-term goals for emissions reduction. “This must be done politically and morally.”

Meanwhile, Ban Ki-moon said that developing countries should help their populations out of poverty and improve living standards. He went on to say that China and India could benefit two-fold by taking economic development and the curbing of climate change into joint consideration.

Ban Kin-moon said that China’s efforts in energy conservation and emissions reduction were “commendable”. He said that in the Chinese government’s RMB 4 trillion stimulus package, 580 billion was earmarked for programs related to climate change and to develop the green economy. “This mode has set a good example for other developing countries.” (Source: www.china.com.cn)