Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has warned that the unfolding financial crisis should not waver the world's efforts in addressing the climate change.
He made the remarks in a high-level conference on climate change that opened on Friday. Representatives of governments, international and non-governmental organizations from nearly 100 countries are taking part in the conference that focuses on technology development and transfer.
"As the global financial crisis spreads and worsens, and the world economy slows down apparently, the international community must not waver in its determination to tackle climate change, nor must they ease in its actions," Wen said.
He urged developed nations to take responsibility and obligations in addressing climate change, including changing their unsustainable way of life.
Premier Wen also urged developed nations to help developing countries to cope with the global climate change.
He said the Chinese government has always taken a responsible attitude towards and "laid great importance" to climate change.
The event scheduled to run through Saturday is jointly organized by the Chinese government and the United Nations, in a move to facilitate international cooperation on technology development and transfer as well as the international negotiation process on climate change.
The conference will cover a wide array of topics including the current status of technology transfer and best practices, mechanism for overcoming barriers to technology transfer, roles and potential collaboration of public and private sectors, among others.
Representatives of the conference are expected to draw a proclamation on climate change issue, and the proclamation will serve as a reference to the upcoming Parties Conference of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that is due to kick of in Poland next month.
Zhang Ping, the minister of National Development and Reform Commission, the country's economic regulator, called on developed countries to carry out obligations and duties under the UNFCCC, to provide developing countries with financial support.
UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon said earlier: "It is proper to hold the conference in Beijing, because China is making efforts to research and develop renewable resources, energy-saving and other technologies to cope with climate change and seek a sustainable development."
Chinese government has set a target of reducing energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 20 percent and major pollutant emissions by 10 percent from the 2005 levels by 2010 to protect environment, save energy and ensure a sustainable development.
Wen said at the conference that China "has confidence to fulfill this goal".
(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2008)
