Hu urges enhanced efforts to cope with climate change

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-28 18:03

Chinese President Hu Jintao is urging the country to contribute further efforts to the global fight against climate change.

Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks in Beijing on Friday at a group study for the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The study focused on global climate change and the country's ability to tackle the issue.

"How we cope with climate change is related to the country's economic development and people's practical benefits. It's in line with the country's basic interests," he said.

He stressed, as a developing country, China should stick to the responsibilities and principles listed in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol. He hoped developed countries could step up efforts on emission reduction and provide financial and technical support for developing countries.

It was written in the 17th National Congress of the CPC report to "give prominence to building a resource-conserving, environment-friendly society in our strategy for industrialization and modernization and getting every organization and family to act accordingly."

Hu urged related organizations and companies to strive to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by optimizing energy management in a scientific way. He mentioned methods such as promoting recycling economy, increasing forest coverage, exploring water resources scientifically and strengthening global cooperation.

He stressed to enhance the country's abilities to monitor, forecast and withstand extreme natural disasters as a result of abnormal weather.

"Our task is tough, and our time is limited. Party organizations and governments at all levels must give priority to emission reduction ... and bring the idea deep into people's hearts," the president said.

Luo Yong, a researcher with the National Climate Center under the China Meteorological Administration, and Tsinghua University Professor He Jiankun instructed the study and presented the findings on the issue.

The hydrological and meteorological departments in the southwestern Sichuan Province issued a flood warning on Friday, forecasting the summer flooding was likely to be the biggest in a decade and would come at the beginning of July, earlier than in past years because of the effect of abnormal rainfall in May.