CHINA& U.S.A

China tells Donald Trump there is an 'international responsibility' to act over climate change


'Fighting climate change is a global consensus, it's not invented by China'
Ian Johnston Environment Correspondent
@montaukian
17 mins ago
8 comments
































6K







Click to follow

The Independent Online China's Premier Li Keqiang speaking during a news conference after the closing ceremony of China's National People's Congress (NPC) REUTERS/Jason Lee




There is an "international responsibility" to fight climate change, China's Premier Li Keqiang has said in a clear message to Donald Trump ahead of his expected announcement that the US will withdraw from the historic Paris Agreement.


Despite widespread reports of the US's imminent departure, Mr Li insisted there was a "global consensus" on the issue.


In contrast, Theresa May was decidedly low-key about the prospect of the US quitting the accord, saying it was "up to the President of the United States" and refusing to agree it would be a "blow" to the supposed special relationship between the US and UK.

READ MORE

Experts say Trump pulling out of Paris Agreement is 'serious mistake'
UN calls climate action 'unstoppable'
Majority of Americans in every US state supports Paris climate deal
Donald Trump to 'withdraw US from Paris Agreement on climate change'


Mr Li did not mention the US or Donald Trump, but his comments were obviously addressed to Washington.


He said China had "in recent years has stayed true to its commitment" to address the issue – a hint that the US would pay a diplomatic price for signing up to an international agreement, then abandoning it.


Beijing had also been "actively promoting the Paris Agreement and we were one of the first countries to ratify the Paris agreement", Mr Li added.


He appeared to reference a past claim by Mr Trump that climate change was a "hoax" perpetrated by China.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia