Commentary: Climate talks deliver breakthrough as historic deal adopted

After years of tough negotiations, a long-anticipated legally binding agreement on the global fight against climate change was finally adopted Saturday in Paris with no objection.

The historic agreement that seeks to rein in climate change and ease its impacts was reached at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) by the 196 Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The ambitious deal, a result of strong aspiration and persistent efforts of all parties involved, marked a milestone step towards the common goal that would safeguard sustainable development for mankind.

The road leading to the historically significant document is fraught with barriers and challenges, and a breakthrough along the way has been realized only when parties jointly pledged unremitting endeavors towards a common goal, bearing the bigger picture in mind and accommodating concerns of others.

During the talks, China maintained close communication and worked closely with other parties concerned, playing a positive and constructive role in achieving success of the conference.

In the process of negotiations, China repeatedly urged all parties concerned to show flexibility, narrow differences and build consensus for a final deal.

Expounding on China's efforts in countering climate change, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Friday the country is confident and determined to meet its promises of cutting its carbon dioxide emissions per unit of the GDP by 60-65 percent from the 2005 level by 2030.

During a telephone conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the two sides to strengthen coordination and work together with all parties to ensure that the Paris climate conference would reach an agreement as scheduled, which is in the interest of the international community.

Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Giovanni La Via said in an interview with Xinhua that China played a key role of a responsible partner during the climate conference negotiations in Paris.

Commending China's efforts in proposing the ambitious Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), he said China would pave the path for others in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) over the next 10 years, "thanks to its economic model and investment in green technologies."

With great resolution and tangible actions, China has been emerging as a staunch supporter, active contributor and constructive player over the years in the global climate campaign, providing wisdom and inspiration to the conclusion of the global climate agreement.

In September, the Chinese government announced the establishment of an independent South-South cooperation fund of 20 billion yuan (3.1 billion U.S. dollars) to help the developing countries affected by global warming.

At the opening ceremony of the Paris climate summit, Xi said China would adopt new policy measures to improve the industrial mix, build a low-carbon system, develop green building and low-carbon transportation and establish a nationwide carbon-emission trading market.

While showing China's resolve to address the challenge, Xi's speech also displayed the wisdom of reaching an agreement with the "win-win" mentality.

The president's proposal of rejecting the narrow-minded "zero sum game" mentality and creating a future of win-win cooperation with each country making contribution to the best of its ability also led to the eventual adoption of the historic agreement.

The unanimous adoption of the deal is just one significant step in the right direction, whether or not the aim of holding global average temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels could be achieved lies in the implementation of the agreement.

It is imperative now for all parties involved to lose no time in working out the plenty of details of the agreement and displaying the utmost sincerity by translating commitments into tangible actions.

It is highly hoped that the rich nations would bear the fact of their high per capita emissions in mind and assume their due responsibilities by honoring their commitment to climate finance and transfer of low-carbon and eco-friendly technologies to developing countries. Endi