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The ongoing United Nations climate change conference needs to reaffirm global support for the historic Paris Agreement, Xie Zhenhua, China's special representative on climate change affairs, said here Thursday.
Given the fact that the Paris Agreement has entered into force, and fears of uncertainty about its implementation, the UN conference should "send a strong message" that the fight against climate change has become a global trend and will be carried on in the future, Xie told reporters on the sidelines of the conference in the southern Moroccan city.
The two-week conference, which entered its ministerial phase Tuesday, is expected to adopt a proclamation for action before it concludes late Friday.
Related parties are still in negotiations in an effort to produce a "balanced" declaration which takes into account requirements from all parties, Xie said, adding that the document is expected to be finalized Thursday.
Xie called on related parties to proceed with the negotiations from a strategic perspective, taking into account the overall situation, against the backdrop that Donald Trump's win of the U.S. presidential election may bring about uncertainty to the global combat against climate change.
Xie stressed that the declaration must reaffirm the tasks and provisions established by the Paris Agreement and make it clear that every provision of the agreement will be implemented in line with the principle of common but shared responsibility under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In so doing, the declaration will ensure that the international community be rest assured that global cooperation in addressing climate change will continue, he said.
The top Chinese climate official also noted that the Chinese side has repeatedly stressed that there will not be any changes in China's climate goals, policies, measures and actions following the U.S. elections.
Such clarifications by China have been well received at this UN climate conference, Xie said, adding that China will continue to make contributions to the global fight against climate change in accordance with its national circumstances.
Xie urged U.S. President-elect Trump to follow the global trend of low-carbon green development and make a "far-sighted and wise" decision on climate change.
"Any government acts against this trend, there may be some problems as a result," he warned.
During his campaign, Trump described the issue of climate change as a "hoax" and vowed to cancel various actions taken by the Obama administration, including the U.S. ratification of the Paris Agreement. Trump's election victory has cast a shadow over the current climate conference.
(APD)
