Eleven Chinese young volunteers presented a unique gesture by spelling the five-letter-word "OBAMA" with rice bowls in the suburban farmland in snowy and biting-cold Beijing Thursday, a move to call on US President Barack Obama to keep his public promises and ensure the U.S. plays a key leadership role in the climate negotiations culminating at the United Nations meeting in Copenhagen in December.

"As a result of climate change, more and more poor people in developing countries – including China – are affected, and their livelihoods seriously undermined," said Xiao Xin, one of the young volunteers who participated in the action.

According to a recent report by Oxfam Hong Kong, one of the organizers of the action, in 2005, 95 percent of the population of people living in absolute poverty in China were affected by climate change; and that figure is expected to rise.

"In Gansu, I have witnessed the serious damage brought on by the severe and prolonged drought and the increasing frequency of disasters. I saw villagers forced to move to other places because their farmlands were no longer productive," added Xiao. "We hope President Obama would keep his promises in the fight against climate change for the poor after seeing our 'gift' to him."

Next week, Obama will be on his first formal visit to China. During the trip, he is expected to discuss regional and international issues with Chinese leaders, including energy and climate change.

"The U.S. is a key player in the global climate change negotiations but has not yet stepped up to show leadership in the talks. Many observers believe the U.S. is dragging the negotiations downward. President Obama can move decisively so that the U.S. heads to Copenhagen as a global leader in the fight against climate change,' said Li Ning, Climate Change Programme officer of Oxfam Hong Kong in Beijing.

Li said developed countries should fulfill their commitments based on their historical responsibility for climate change. Rich countries, including the U.S., have dual obligations: to reduce their emissions by at least 40 percent compared to 1990 by 2020, and to provide the US$150 billion that is needed to help poor countries adapt to a changing climate and reduce their emissions.

"This money must be additional to existing aid commitments – or it will add up to nothing. Poor countries must not be forced to choose between building flood defences and building schools," LI added.

Year 2009 is considered to be a landmark for tackling the problem of climate change. According to the Bali Action Plan, the international community has to achieve a new consensus on climate change after 2012, at the forthcoming conference in Copenhagen.

While balancing social and development needs and energy requirements, China has been taking domestic actions to tackle climate change and playing a positive role in the climate negotiations. The recent speech by Chinese President Hu Jintao at the United Nations General Assembly has demonstrated further China's commitment to tackle climate change and its willingness to help facilitate a fair Copenhagen deal.

"Many developing countries are making huge efforts on climate change. So, U.S., where have you been? Rich country leaders, including Obama, must make a personal commitment to attend the Summit in Copenhagen and up their game on finance and emissions reductions," Li said.