Chinese premier meets Maldivian, Ethiopian, Bangladeshi, Grenadian, Sudanese leaders

COPENHAGEN, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Thursday that China and other developing countries, including underdeveloped countries, small island states and African countries, all face the pressing tasks of economic development and eradication of poverty.

Premier Wen made the remarks when he met President of the Maldives Mohammed Nasheed, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Grenadian Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and Sudanese Presidential Assistant Nafie Ali Nafieon the issue of climate change on the sidelines of the UN-led talks being held here.

Developing countries are most severely affected by climate change, Wen said, adding that they share a broad range of common interests, concerns and targets in this regard.

The Chinese government understands the particular situation and needs of underdeveloped countries, small island states and African countries on the issue of climate change and urges developed countries to support them in terms of technology, finance and capacity building, Wen said.

China will continue its support and aid to these countries on agriculture, health care, education and climate change in the frameworks of South-South cooperation and bilateral cooperation, he said.

The leaders of the five nations agreed that development is the top priority of developing countries and the success of fighting climate change must not be achieved at the expense of compromising their development.

China has set an example for the international community by adopting voluntary actions to curb emissions, the five leaders said, adding that their countries will enhance communications and coordination with China, safeguard their common interests and join hands to strive for achieving positive results at the ongoing climate talks.

Wen arrived in Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, on Wednesday evening to attend the final summit segment of the UN Climate Change conference, which is scheduled to conclude on Friday.