Chinese President Xi Jinping: “Tackling climate... should not become a geopolitical bargaining chip or used to attack other countries (or impose) trade barriers.” (Photo by= Noel Celis / AFP) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] A state media report revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping criticized the European Union's plan for a carbon tax system on Friday (Apr 16) in a call with the leaders of France and Germany, AFP said.
The European Parliament on Wednesday endorsed the creation of a carbon border tax that would shield EU companies from cheaper imports from countries with weaker climate policies.
The scheme is seen as a key part of the EU's Green Deal, an ambitious push to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and meet the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement. "Tackling climate change is a shared responsibility ... and should not become a geopolitical bargaining chip or used to attack other countries (or impose) trade barriers," Xi told France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Angela Merkel on the sidelines of a virtual climate summit on Friday, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Xi also urged developed countries to "set an example in reducing emissions" and help poorer nations to deal with the fallout from the climate crisis by sharing technology and increasing funding for green projects. China last year announced bold plans to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and become carbon-neutral by 2060.