[Epoch Times November 02, 2021](Epoch Times reporter Zhang Ting comprehensive report) Global leaders are currently gathering in Glasgow, Scotland to participate in the COP26 climate summit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party of China stated on Tuesday (November 2) that Chinese President Xi Jinping was not given the opportunity to deliver a video speech at the COP26 climate summit and had to address the conference in a written statement.
China is currently the world‘s largest carbon emitter. Chinese leaders did not attend the event in person, nor did they participate in the form of video, which triggered heated discussions. Xi Jinping delivered a written statement to the conference on Monday (November 1). He did not provide additional commitments in the statement, but urged countries to keep their commitments and “strengthen mutual trust and cooperation.”
On Tuesday, the spokesperson of the Chinese Communist Party’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Wenbin, was asked why Xi Jinping did not participate in a video connection at a regular press conference. Wang Wenbin replied: “As far as I know, the conference organizer did not provide a video method for attending the conference.”
According to a report by Reuters, a British government spokesperson stated that the UK hopes leaders will attend COP26 in person, so leaders cannot participate through video connections. They can only provide recorded speeches or statements.
Climate observers worry that Xi Jinping’s absence means that China is not prepared to offer more concessions at this summit. But Beijing said that in the past year, China has made a number of major commitments.
Biden said on Sunday (October 31) that he was disappointed that Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend the G20 summit nor the climate summit. “Speaking of disappointment, the disappointment comes from Russia, not only Russia but also China, basically not making any promises to deal with climate change. People are forgiven for disappointment. I feel disappointed myself.” He said.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Air Force One on Monday that whether Beijing fulfills its responsibilities for responding to the climate crisis should not be linked to US-China relations.
Washington has repeatedly urged Beijing to separate the conflict between the two countries and cooperation on climate change. But China refused to accept it. During the US climate envoy John Kerry’s visit to China in September, the CCP asked the US to change its stance on China on other issues, from human rights to the Taiwan issue. It also said that while the US condemned China on other issues, it could not. Count on cooperation.
Kerry warned China at the time that efforts to combat climate change should not be used as “geo-strategic weapons or tools” and called on the CCP to take more actions.
Editor in charge: Lin Yan#
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