Still possible to move ahead

The world is not perfect nor is the accord reached at the Copenhagen Conference. Yet, it is the best document possible if the interests of all 192 countries are taken into consideration. It is fair to say that, thanks to the intensive efforts of all parties, the conference produced important and positive outcomes.

Climate change is a major challenge to the entire humanity. Though national interests may not always converge and each country faces its own difficulties at home, we together face a common challenge. This challenge has implications in a wide range of areas, including a country's economy, the environment and the livelihood of its people. More importantly, it has a bearing on a country's development. We believe the conference produced important outcomes for the following reasons:

First, it firmly upheld the framework and host of principles established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol, particularly the principles of "common but differentiated responsibilities". The Copenhagen accord endorses the draft texts submitted by the chairs of the two ad hoc working groups of the convention and the protocol and, thus, keeps the negotiating framework of the two ad hoc working groups forward.

Second, it was because of this conference that both developed and developing countries had set out targets and taken new actions to address climate change. Developed countries set out mandatory emission reduction targets as required by the Kyoto Protocol. Developing countries put forward voluntary mitigation actions. Had the conference not been held, the commitments would not have been made or they would well have been postponed.

Third, there are major issues in climate change negotiations, including global long-term targets, financing, technology transfer and transparency. Parties were deeply divided on these issues in the negotiations over the past few years. After intensive negotiations before the conference and through leaders' meetings and good offices during the conference, an initial consensus was reached on these issues, which, in itself, is a very important outcome.

These have not come easily and they are the result of a compromise of all parties. At the same time, the Copenhagen conference has charted the course for future negotiations and should be viewed as just one stop in the journey of the international community to tackle climate change. Parties should go still further at the next conference in Mexico in 2010.

China takes the issue of climate change and the Copenhagen conference very seriously. It has made important contributions to international cooperation on climate change and to the success of the Copenhagen conference. It was China that closed the gap between developing and developed countries when Premier Wen Jiabao made efforts both before and during the conference and conducted intensive diplomatic interactions and summit diplomacy with the aim of helping produce positive results in the conference. As the conference entered its final critical stage, Premier Wen put it frankly to other leaders that countries should stop blaming each other. Rather, they should bear in mind the larger picture of an international response to climate change, accommodate each other's concerns, adhere to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities", speedily build consensus, seek common ground while reserving differences and advance the negotiations as quickly and effectively as possible.

China played a constructive role of mediation in the consultations between developed countries and BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India and China), the G77 and African countries. The final consensus built on the difficult issues saved the conference from falling apart.

Although the Copenhagen accord is neither legally binding nor fully satisfactory, given the circumstances, it was the best result that could be achieved. China's efforts helped bring about the final outcome of the conference and the Copenhagen accord in spite of the intricate and complex situation. With this accord, parties can and will move forward.

The author is the Chinese Ambassador to Malta.