VZCZCXRO1243
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3286/01 3430953
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 090953Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7132
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003286
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/CM, EAP/PA, EAP/PD, C HQ PACOM FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR (J007) SIPDIS
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: COPENHAGEN CLIMATE CONFERENCE
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Editorial Quotes
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COPENHAGEN CLIMATE CONFERENCE a. "Climate negotiations are stuck in a 'prisoner's dilemma'"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(pg 14): "The ongoing Copenhagen climate conference is stuck in a prisoner's dilemma: the countries attending the conference want to achieve the best results, but they are not sure what the others will do. They want to cooperate, but are equally likely to betray each other. Once the emissions reduction targets are set, some countries' collection of a carbon tax will be legitimatized. For developing countries with an export-oriented economic model that are unable to reach the environmental standards set by developed countries, it is equivalent to giving away their economic development rights. Many issues today affect more than one country or region. The deteriorating environment, which will have consequences for the whole of mankind, should be dealt with on the basis of cooperation. Only when developed countries discard their selfish and egoistical ways of thinking can all countries join hands to escape from the prisoner's dilemma."
b. "Prelude has been opened; smoke has begun to dissipate"
Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper 21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(12/09)(pg 3): "China has made a significant contribution to the climate change negotiations by putting forward its own emissions reduction targets despite the fact that it still faces poverty and economic development issues. The question of maintaining the Kyoto Protocol hinges on whether or not the principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities' will be adhered to, which is the red line for developing countries. The chief U.S. climate change negotiator clearly stated that the conference will only reach a political agreement. Comparatively, Xie Zhenhua, the Deputy Director of the China National Development and Reform Commission, stressed that a 'fair, just and legally binding' climate change agreement should be the goal. Although the United States needs to get Congress' approval to improve its emissions reduction targets, the key is whether or not the U.S. leadership has the political will."
c. "Wrestling in Copenhagen: conspiracy and the fate of mankind"
The Shanghai-based Shanghai Media Group (SMG) publication, China Business News (Diyi Caijing)(12/09)(pg A4): "The focus of the Copenhagen conference has been intentionally shifted towards the U.S. and China by EU member countries, and thus the U.S. is helping them achieve their agenda by attempting to pressure China. Jiang Kejun, the Director of the Energy Systems Laboratory at the National Development and Reform Commission's Energy Research Institute, said that emissions reductions must be accompanied by technological support. The United States believes that by 2020 its emissions reduction technology will have improved significantly, but how this is determined needs to be clear and convincing. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's announcement that five kinds of gas emissions are harmful to human health is good news and has paved the way for the EPA to oversee carbon emissions in the future. This announcement is also seen as exhibiting the maximum amount of political sincerity on the part of the Obama administration, since it enables Obama to seek administrative measures to control emissions, bypassing Congressional legislation. Xie Zhenhua, the Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission, said it is irrational to request China to take more responsibility for emissions reductions when China is still in the process of industrialization and has a per capita GDP of only $3,000."
d. "The United States may become the obstacle to agreement [on climate change]"
The Beijing-based newspaper sponsored by official intellectual publication Guangming Daily and Guangdong Provincial official publication Nanfang Daily The Beijing News (Xin Jing Bao)(12/09)(pg A26): "At the Copenhagen climate conference, developing and developed countries are in disagreement with each other over emissions reduction goals and funding, and over expectations about the result of the conference. When asked how much money they can provide, developed countries all answer with one phrase: 'the appropriate amount.' China urges developed countries to stop writing empty checks. The major disputes also focus on whether or not developing countries need to make emissions reduction promises that are 'measurable, reportable and verifiable.' China clearly stated its stance with regards to a firm implementation of the Bali Roadmap. When the U.S. climate change representative answered questions at the press conference, many got the impression that the United States is hoping to downgrade the agreement from a 'legally binding treaty' to a 'political statement.' It seems that the United States might become the biggest obstacle to the Copenhagen