China Open to Talks on Binding Emission Cut After 2020

China agrees to discuss binding emission cut after 2020, the head of the Chinese delegation to the Durban climate conference said on Sunday.

"Before the formal negotiation of China's obligation after 2020, we hope there should be a comprehensive and scientific appraisal of the first commitment period of Kyoto Protocol. Only based on this, it can be fair for discussing China's legally binding of emission cut," said the Chinese delegation chief, Xie Zhenhua.

Xie, also the vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, made the remarks during the ongoing 17th Conference of Parties to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

He told reporters that experts are doing research on "what we can do after 2020" in emission cut and China has strong political will to bear the responsibilities that match China's economic development and capabilities.

According to China's official statistics, China's energy consumption per capita has decreased 16.1 percent from 2005 to 2010, which means at least 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide emission was saved.

"Developed countries should bear for the historical responsibilities of climate change and lead the emission cut while providing fund and technology to developing countries for better responding the climate change. On the other hand, developing countries should take action in the framework of sustainable development," he said when responding to the questions of the U.S. position in the COP17 meeting.

He praised the progress made since Nov. 28, while admitting division is obvious which is focused on the second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol and the launch of the Green Climate Fund. "I would like to say that the Chinese government's position is open, positive and constructive in taking part in these negotiations we would like to unit all parties to further facilitate the negotiation process," he said.