Spokesperson of the Chinese Mission Liu Yuyin Speaks on a Question Concerning China’s Decision to Suspend Talks on Climate Change with the US
2022-08-16 23:35

Q:The US claims that China’s decision to suspend talks on climate change with the US does not punish the US, but the whole world, particularly the developing world. What is your comment on that?

A:The Chinese side has taken justified and reasonable countermeasures in response to Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. For some time, the Chinese side has repeatedly stressed to the US side that the one-China principle is the political foundation on which China develops bilateral relations with other countries. China-US cooperation on climate change cannot be separated from the overall bilateral relationship. By allowing and supporting Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, the US Government has seriously violated China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and undermined the political foundation of China-US relations. This will inevitably cause a major disruption to China-US exchanges and cooperation. We had issued prior warnings and we always match our words with actions. The US side should not feel surprised, and the responsibility must be borne by the US side. 

Due to the negative consequences of Pelosi’s visit, the Chinese side had to suspend bilateral climate talks with the US. The US does not represent the whole world. China will continue to actively participate in international and multilateral cooperation on climate change and strive to meet our carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. We will actively engage in climate change negotiations through the main channels, provide support and help to fellow developing countries within the realm of our ability, and make our due contribution to meeting this global challenge. 

The US side must shoulder its historical responsibilities and obligations on climate change rather than make empty promises without taking actions. The US Supreme Court has recently ruled on restricting the US Environmental Protection Agency’s power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The US side has also imposed sanctions on Chinese photovoltaic (PV) firms under the pretext of the so-called Xinjiang-related issues, thus directly undermining the atmosphere of China-US cooperation. These conflicting acts cannot but make people question the US’s capacity and resolve to address climate change. The US side should earnestly fulfill its historical responsibilities and due obligations, keep its policies consistent and stop its wrong rhetoric and actions that aimed at suppressing Chinese PV firms.

China urges the US side to abide by the basic norms governing international relations, including respect for other countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, return to the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiqués, and stop its rhetoric and actions that undermine China’s core interests, so as to create the necessary conditions for China-US cooperation on climate change.