国内英语新闻:China calls for compromise while rich, poor countries divide in climate talks

TIANJIN, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's top climate change official Thursday called for compromise from all parties to seek the biggest common ground during the UN climate talks while developed and developing countries remained divided on many issues.

Parties at the talks should rebuild mutual trust and improve sense of responsibility as climate change is a global issue affecting every country, Xie Zhenhua, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, told the press on the sidelines of a new round of UN climate talks held in Tianjin from Oct. 4 to 9.

"The best result of the global climate talks may be a solution that dissatisfies every one but is accepted by all," he said. "To reach the result, every party needs compromise and work to find the biggest common ground. If one country refuses to do anything and ask others to do many, this is definitely not acceptable."

When asked about one of the most controversial issue on how to manage the fast start fund, Xie said, as a developing country, China is fully qualified to receive funds and technical supports from developed countries.

"But, provided that the amount of current fast start fund is much less than what developing countries need, China would not compete with those who need the money most such as the least developing countries and island countries," he said.

Jonathan Pershing, who leads the U.S. negotiators at the Tianjin meeting, said on Thursday that there should be a differentiation between offering finance for developing countries as some countries clearly have enormous capabilities, even though they are listed in the developing country list, while some countries, although in the developing country list, have virtually no capabilities.

Countries like China can do a great deal, and have made very clear that they intend to do a great deal, he told reporters.

"It (China) has made commitment that was made on a series of actions on intensity, on renewable energy and on forests that are examples of what a really powerful country with enormous commitment can deliver," he said.

Xie Zhenhua said China will also provide as much assistance to these countries as it is able to, through South-South cooperation.

"We are not only saying it but have also begun doing it. In the past few years, we have provided training programs to people from least developed countries and worked with them in programs to cope with climate changes," Xie said.

However, Xie strongly argued that developed countries should actually add new money in the fast start fund as a majority of current identified fast start fund was in fact included in the existing Official Development Assistance (ODA).