The European Union will not sign a joint climate action commitment with China at the upcoming summit marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, according to statements by EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra published on Monday.
Brussels has rejected numerous requests from Beijing for mutual climate commitments following the summit between the world’s second and third largest economies.
EU officials have indicated that they will only agree to such a declaration if China makes more stringent commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“From our point of view, the declaration only makes sense if it addresses specific issues and demonstrates ambition,” Hoekstra told the Financial Times.
China is a strong supporter of green development and contributes significantly to its promotion, the diplomat stressed, adding that China is ready to work with the EU to uphold multilateralism and the goals of the Paris Agreement, strengthen co-operation in the areas of climate change mitigation, adaptation and green transition, and jointly promote global climate governance.
Disagreements over climate commitments come as the two economic powers prepare to mark half a century of diplomatic relations at a summit this month.
