In rare move, China criticizes Trump plan
to exit climate change pact
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[November 01, 2016]
By Sue-Lin Wong
BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Tuesday
rejected a plan by U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump
to back out of a global climate change pact, saying a wise political
leader should make policy in line with global trends, a rare comment on
a foreign election.
The world is moving towards balancing environmental protection and
economic growth, China's top climate change negotiator told reporters,
in response to a query on how China would work with a Trump
administration on climate change. . .
"If they resist this trend, I don't think they'll win the support of
their people, and their country's economic and social progress will also
be affected," Xie Zhenhua said.
"I believe a wise political leader should take policy stances that
conform with global trends," China's veteran climate chief said.
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Trump has threatened to reject the Paris Agreement, a global accord
negotiated by nearly 200 governments to battle climate change that takes
effect on Friday.
Chinese officials are often hesitant to weigh in on foreign elections,
although they will defend Chinese policies when attacked in candidates'
policy platforms.
Xie's comments come as China plans to launch a national carbon trading
scheme in 2017.
The scheme is on track and pilot programs have already traded 120
million carbon allowances with total transactions amounting to 3.2
billion yuan ($472.29 million), he added.
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![](../images/110116pics/news_v35.jpg)
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks at an airport
campaign rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. October 30, 2016.
REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
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"It will take time for the market to be fully operational, but once
it's operational, it'll be the largest carbon trading market in the
world," said Xie.
China's coal consumption has declined as the world's second-largest
economy slows, but Xie said it was too early to decide if it had
peaked.
China's delegation of more than 80 negotiators will begin departing
from Tuesday for global climate change talks in the Moroccan city of
Marrakesh set for Nov. 7 to 18.
(Reporting by Sue-Lin Wong; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
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