China and EU hold dialogue on environment and climate

BRUSSELS, 18 June - China and the European Union (EU) held their fifth high-level dialogue on environment and climate in Brussels on Tuesday, where both sides agreed to deepen green cooperation. Ding stressed that China and the EU have extensive common interests and wide scope for cooperation in green transformation, and stressed that the two sides should make full use of the mechanism of the high-level dialogue, seek common ground while setting aside differences, maintain the positive momentum of environment and climate cooperation, and deepen the China-EU green partnership.

The dialogue was led by Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Executive Vice President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic.

Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that in recent years, Chinese President Xi Jinping and EU leaders have met frequently and reached a great consensus on strengthening China-EU cooperation in the field of green transformation.

Ding noted that China consistently recognises the key role of Europe in a multipolar world and considers the EU an important priority for China's diplomacy of major countries with Chinese characteristics, as well as an important partner for achieving China's modernisation.

"We must work together to implement the important consensus reached by Chinese and EU leaders, strive for more fruitful cooperation on green transformation, and consolidate the momentum of a stable and strong China-EU relationship," Ding said.

Ding pointed out that China has consistently implemented its national strategy to address climate change and has achieved remarkable results in green and low-carbon development. He noted that China has become an important participant, contributor and leader in building a global ecological civilization.

Ding said China has announced that it will peak in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060. This commitment has been incorporated into the overall framework of building China's ecological civilization as well as the country's economic and social development. A series of practical measures have also been formulated and put in place to ensure the timely realisation of these goals.

"It's not what others want us to do, it's what we have to do," Ding said.

Ding stressed that China and the EU have extensive common interests and wide scope for cooperation in the field of green transformation, and emphasized that the two sides should make full use of the high-level dialogue mechanism, seek common ground while setting aside differences, maintain the positive momentum of environmental and climate cooperation, and deepen the China-EU green partnership.

"We need to harness the potential of cooperation in key areas and strengthen mutual learning in areas such as green energy, green and low-carbon technologies, plastic pollution control and chemical environmental management," he said. "We should focus on building consensus on cooperation in multilateral processes, continue to play a positive and constructive role together, practice true multilateralism, and join forces in building a community for all life on Earth."

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Xinhua/gnews.cz-jav_07