Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, January 1 (Xinhua) — China is ready to cooperate with the European Union (EU) in the fight against global climate change, but will resolutely take all necessary measures in response to any unfair trade restrictions. This was announced on Thursday by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce in connection with the entry into force of the EU-developed Cross-Border Carbon Management Mechanism (CBAM).
A Chinese Ministry of Commerce official said the EU had ignored China's green development achievements by setting a significantly higher default baseline for the carbon intensity of Chinese products in the CBAM rules, which will be raised annually for the next three years, calling the measures "unfair" and "discriminatory."
“This does not correspond to China’s current realities and future development trends,” the official said, noting that the EU’s practice appears to violate the principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and is contrary to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN).
The CBAM, which officially came into force on Thursday, is an EU measure that imposes a tax on carbon emissions associated with certain carbon-intensive goods imported into the EU and aligns the carbon cost of imported goods with the carbon cost faced by EU producers under the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme.
A Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson also expressed concern and strong opposition to the EU's draft legislation to expand the scope of the CBAM from 2028 to cover approximately 180 products that heavily use steel and aluminum, such as mechanical equipment and vehicles, criticizing the plans for going beyond climate action and bearing clear signs of unilateralism and trade protectionism.
Noting that the EU recently relaxed its domestic environmental rules by changing the 2035 ban on new combustion engine vehicles, the official said the EU was practicing "double standards" by relaxing domestic rules while simultaneously pursuing protectionism in the name of green development.
China hopes the EU will adhere to international rules on climate and trade, reject unilateralism and protectionism, keep its market open, and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, the official said.
While China is willing to cooperate with the EU in addressing global climate change, it will resolutely take all necessary measures against any unfair trade restrictions to protect its development interests, the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, and the stability of global industrial and supply chains, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce said. -0-
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