China says poor nations need “priority” on climate funds

BEIJING, CHINA – China said Tuesday that the poorest nations should get priority in the allocation of funds from developed countries to help fight climate change, but indicated it also could receive some of the aid.

The foreign ministry comments came a day after the Financial Times quoted Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei as saying at the world climate talks in Copenhagen that China might forego its share of any rich-nation funds.

“That does not mean China will take a share – probably not… We do not expect money will flow from the US, UK (and others) to China,” He was quoted saying in remarks viewed as an apparent concession at the troubled talks.

But foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said the report was “not right.”

She quoted the minister as saying during the interview that China was focused on “the special concerns of the least developed countries, African countries and the small island countries.”

According to Jiang, He said Beijing was “willing to give priority to these countries in using the capital assistance given by developed countries”.

China, the world’s biggest polluter, has said developed nations should take the lead in committing to substantial emission reduction targets and provide financial and technical help to poor countries battle climate change.

The issue has led to an escalating war of words at the marathon talks in the Danish capital, due to end on Friday.

“China, relying on its own resources, has taken a lot of measures and made great achievements,” Jiang said.

“If we could get enough international support, I believe that China could do an even better job in protecting the global environment as well as fighting climate change,” she said.

So far, the European Union has pledged 7.2 billion euros (10.6 billion US dollars) in aid, an amount emerging nations have derided as “insignificant.”  — AFP