China, EU hold climate talks

​​​​​​​By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Monday held the sixth China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue in Beijing, state news agency Xinhua reported.

The meeting, which was chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, saw the participation of Executive Vice President of the European Commission Teresa Ribera.

Ding said China places high value on addressing climate change and protecting the environment, and will “firmly promote green and low-carbon development and take measures to participate in global environmental and climate governance.”

He said China is ready to cooperate with the EU in order to sustain high-level discussions and exchanges, foster more agreement, and strengthen the relationship.

Beijing is eager to work with the EU to promote the establishment of a “fair, reasonable, cooperative and win-win global environmental and climate governance system,” he added.

Ribera said the EU is willing to further consolidate existing cooperation with China, adhere to multilateralism, and promote the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Under the 2015 international climate accord, countries around the world agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming.

The US in January left the agreement, with President Donald Trump saying Washington “will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity."

Trump, who says the agreement imposes unfair burdens on the American economy, also withdrew from the deal during his first term in office. The US had rejoined under Joe Biden in 2021.