Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Friday a long-term perspective and a focus on the present were needed in tackling climate change.

Wen made the remarks at the opening session of the final summit segment of the UN climate change conference.

"In tackling climate change, we need to take a long-term perspective but, more importantly, we should focus on the present. The Kyoto Protocol has clearly set out the emission reduction targets for developed countries in the first commitment period by 2012," Wen said.

However, a review of implementation showed the emissions from many developed countries had increased rather than decreased and the mid-term reduction targets, announced by developed countries recently, fell considerably short of the UNFCCC requirements and the expectations of the international community, the Chinese premier said.

"It is necessary to set a direction for our long-term efforts, but it is even more important to focus on achieving near-term and mid-term reduction targets, honoring the commitments already made and taking real action," Wen said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2009)