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China opposes Summit chair's draft texts
By Li Xing (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-12-16 22:36
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Copenhagen: Chinese chief climate change negotiator Su Wei warned that "some parties intend to kill the Kyoto Protocol and endanger international cooperation".
During the plenary session discussing the chair's report by working group 1, Su said he was disappointed that the working group has not resolved many thorny issues, reiterating that China firmly opposes any texts that weaken the Kyoto Protocol.
Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen took over COP15's podium as its new president, after Connie Hedegaard resigned yesterday. She explained that "it is appropriate" for Rasmussen to preside with more than 115 heads of states and governments arriving.
A showdown began before the general plenary session. It started with Rasmussen announcing that two texts based substantially on results of working groups will be presented to the high level meetings in order to move the negotiations forward.
His announcement aroused suspicion from developing nations that the presidency was attempting to present new drafts instead of using the draft texts which the groups had been working on almost around the clock.
Top negotiators from Brazil, South Africa, India and China asked Rasmussen to clarify the matter.
"It is a matter of good faith," said an Indian representative, adding that the nations must protect the "sanctity of our texts".
China's Su said the developing countries would not accept "texts from the sky".
Rasmussen said there is an urgent need to “start to move things forward". He said the presidency didn't intent to "put something from the top to bottom".
But the developing nations weren't satisfied.
"We have agreed before this meeting to base our further negotiations on the outcome of working groups on LCA and KP (amendments to Kyoto Protocol)," said Su. "This is not a simple matter."
The showdown ended with Rasmussen making it clear that "procedures will continue based on reports of the two working groups to move things forward."
