China sends vice-premier to Dubai for COP28

President Xi Jinping's Special Representative Ding Xuexiang will be in the United Arab Emirates for the World Climate Action Summit next week, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning announced on Friday.

At the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ding will start the three-day trip from Thursday.

Ding is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice-premier of the State Council.

The summit, which will be held in Dubai, will provide political guidance to the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Mao said.

COP28 UAE will be a milestone moment for global climate governance as the world will take stock of its progress for the first time since the Paris Agreement came into effect, Mao added.

She said Ding's attendance will demonstrate China's positive response to climate change and cement the traditional friendship between China and the UAE.

China will seek efforts with various parties to uphold the institution, principles and objective of the UNFCC system, especially the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and the theme of "Unite. Act. Deliver.", Mao said.

Beijing will also earnestly resolve the difficulties and issues facing developing countries and promote full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, she said.

During COP28, the Group of 77 will also hold the G77 and China Summit and invite leaders of developing countries to attend, she added.

Before the trip to Dubai, Ding will also visit Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan from Sunday to Thursday.