2014-09-23 06:24:12 GMT2014-09-23 14:24:12 Beijing TimeXinhua English
from: http://english.sina.com/china/p/2014/0922/739229.html
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said here Monday that Beijing will offer 6 million U.S. dollars to support UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in promoting South-South cooperation on climate change.
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Zhang Gaoli (L), Chinese vice premier and President Xi Jinping's special envoy, meets with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of the UN Climate Summit in New York Sept. 22, 2014.
Zhang, who is here to attend Tuesday's UN Climate Summit as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy, made the pledge in a meeting with Ban.
Zhang stressed that China appreciates the UN leader's proposal to hold the UN Climate Summit, adding that the summit would have an important and positive influence on the international cooperation in dealing with climate change.
The Chinese government and Chinese leaders attach great importance to the issue of climate change as well as the role of the UN in tackling the issue, Zhang added.
Noting that the UN will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its establishment next year, the Chinese presidential envoy suggested that by taking the advantage of the event, the international community should work for enhancing multilateralism, defending the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, and safeguarding the post-WWII world order.
Meanwhile, countries should uphold the principles of growth, inclusiveness and cooperation and ensure that the UN's post-2015 development agenda will be adopted next year, which is aimed at eradicating poverty and realizing common development, Zhang said.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the largest developing country, China will continue to work for multilateralism and boost its cooperation with the UN, he said.
Ban appreciated China's support for the UN and lauded China's active efforts and remarkable achievements in tackling the global threat.
Ban spoke highly of China's role in dealing with the Ebola epidemic, and other hotspot issues such as those in afghanistan and South Sudan.
Zhang Gaoli (L), Chinese vice premier and President Xi Jinping's special envoy, meets with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of the UN Climate Summit in New York Sept. 22, 2014. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
Before their meeting, they participated in a ceremony during which China donated a 30-meter-resolution global land cover dataset to the world body to help the international community cope with climate challenges.
Zhang said at the ceremony that the dataset was the result of the hard work of Chinese scientists over the past four years, which covers the data of arable land, water body, forest land and other types of land cover.
It will help the international community, especially the developing countries, to enhance their capacities of obtaining and using geographic data, so as to efficiently fight climate challenges, Zhang said.
Also on Monday, Zhang met with Sam Kahamba Kutesa, president of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly.
During the meeting, Zhang urges the UN to prioritize climate battle, and forge an international political consensus and develop an effective response to the severe challenge of climate change.
The UN, Zhang suggested, should lead the international community to uphold the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, push for positive results in the next phase of climate negotiations, and provide practical assistance to developing countries in dealing with climate change.
He affirmed that China will, as always, support the work of the presidents of the UN General Assembly.
For his part, Kutesa thanked China for its consistent support for the UN and agreed with the points Zhang has made on the work of the leading global organization.
As the UN approaches a year of landmark significance in its history, the new session of the UN General Assembly will prioritize the post-2015 development agenda and climate change among other important issues, he said, adding that he is confident that China's support will firmly push forward relevant processes.