Commentary: China plays constructive, responsible role in global fight against climate change

Four months after the adoption of the historic Paris Agreement on the global fight against climate change, representatives of over 130 countries are expected to sign the pact at the UN headquarters on Friday.

The historic agreement was a result of persistent efforts of all parties involved.

During the process of negotiations, China worked closely with other countries and played a responsible and constructive role.

Though it is and will be a developing country for a long time to come, China has become a staunch supporter, active contributor and constructive player over the years in the global campaign, now topping the world in terms of energy conservation and utilization of new and renewable energies.

At the opening ceremony of the Paris climate summit late last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated China's pledge to cut its carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 60-65 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels, and increase non-fossil fuel sources in primary energy consumption to about 20 percent and peak its carbon emissions by 2030.

The announcement of the 2030 goal represents a big step further from the previous emission control targets of the world's second-largest economy, which has been unswervingly committed to fighting global warming even faced with economic downturn pressure.

It also reflects China's resolve to follow a path of green and low-carbon development. As a matter of fact, for today's China, fighting climate change is a self initiative.

With a large population, China is facing increasing resource constraints, severe environmental pollution and a deteriorating ecosystem.

Suffering environmental woes and seeing the endeavor as crucial to shifting its development mode, the country has already integrated climate change efforts into its medium- and long-term program of economic and social development, and ecological endeavors feature prominently in China's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020).

While taking bold actions and making progress on its own climate change fight, China has also taken an active part in international cooperation and provided assistance within its capability to other developing countries.

The country has inked a bunch of bilateral climate agreements with big emitters like the United State, France, India, Brazil and the European Union.

China has also earnestly fulfilled its policy commitments of South-South Cooperation regarding climate change.

In September 2015, Beijing announced the establishment of an independent South-South Cooperation fund of 20 billion yuan (3.1 billion U.S. dollars) to help developing countries affected by global warming.

China will continue its efforts and provide wisdom and inspiration to the global fight against climate change.

It is imperative now for all parties involved to lose no time to translate their commitments into action.

And as President Xi has stressed at the Paris conference, it is necessary to accommodate the national conditions of various countries and lay emphasis on practical results when it comes to the fight against climate change, and the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" must continue to be adhered to.

It is also highly hoped that the rich nations would assume their due responsibilities by honoring their commitment to climate finance and transfer of low-carbon and eco-friendly technologies to developing countries. Endi