China's chief climate change negotiator urged countries to stick to the Kyoto Protocol to ensure a successful conference in Cancun.

The Kyoto Protocol is a "pillar" in the current climate change negotiations, and it's also one of the most critical elements for the success of the Cancun talks, said Su Wei, China's chief climate change negotiator, at a side event during the two-week climate talks.

Frustrations have risen after Japan denied the protocol on the first day of negotiations, with the declaration that "Japan will not inscribe its target under the KP on any conditions or under any circumstances."

"I don't think we should move a step forward (in the wrong direction)," Su said. "The KP is a very important conventional tool to help achieve optimistic objectives of climate change."