China Hopes Climate Deal Omits Exports

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Associated Press
Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Countries importing Chinese goods should be responsible for the heat-trapping gases released during manufacturing, a top Chinese official said yesterday.

Li Gao, China's top climate negotiator, said any fair international agreement to curb the gases blamed for global warming would not require China to reduce emissions caused by goods manufactured to meet demand elsewhere.

China has surpassed the United States as the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases. But 15 to 25 percent of its emissions are generated by manufacturing goods for export, Li said.

"As one of the developing countries, we are at the low end of the production line for the global economy. We produce products, and these products are consumed by other countries. . . . This share of emissions should be taken by the consumers, but not the producers," Li said in Washington.

Li directs the climate change department at the National Development and Reform Commission.