China criticizes rich countries' inadequate response on carbon emissions

China has weighed in on the latest round of climate talks, criticizing the lack of action by developed nations in fulfilling their commitments to reducing carbon emissions. China has also called for financial and technological support to help developing nations cope with climate change.

Yu Qingtai, China's Climate Change Ambassador, said, "Developed countries should be providing financial support to poorer nations and this is not charity work. This is because they created this problem, so they should fulfill their legal obligations."

China has ruled out signing up to a long-term, binding plan to cut emissions favored by richer nations, unless the needs of developing countries were met. Yu says more that 80 percent of the greenhouse gases currently in the atmosphere are actually the result of emissions by developed countries. Rich nations had previously pledged to reduce their emissions to 1990 levels by 2000, but none have fulfilled that commitment. Yu says that developed countries need to consider their past actions when deciding on future moves.

Developing nations are asking for at least 300 billion U.S. dollars to help them deal with the impacts of climate change, but so far almost no financial assistance has been provided.

Yu Qingtai, Special Representative on Climate Change Negotiations  of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China gestures during a briefing  at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009.