Thu, February 23, 2012
BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday that China hopes the EU can maintain coordination with related parties in an effort to find a proper solution to carbon tax issues.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remark at a regular news briefing while commenting on China's signing of a joint declaration opposing EU carbon fees.
A total of 29 countries on Wednesday signed a joint declaration in Moscow opposing the EU's carbon tax plan, which calls for airlines to pay for their carbon emissions.
According to Hong, a Chinese group formed by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the National Development and Reform Commission(NDRC) and the Foreign Ministry attended a conference on the issue.
The EU's unilateral legislation on carbon tax has aroused objection from many countries in the world, including China, said Hong.
He said the EU's carbon tax violates relevant international civil aviation regulations and basic principles of tackling climate change.
"We hope the EU side can give consideration to the fight against climate change, international cooperation and the sustainable development of international aviation, as well as the general state of China-EU relations," he said.
He called on the EU to coordinate with relevant parties, including China, in a constructive manner to find a proper solution that could be accepted by all parties concerned.
