The evolution of China’s position in the Climate negotiations

This article underlines how China’s position has changed over the past two decades with regard to global climate change negotiations. China has had a major role in the development of the current climate change regime and is among the countries that have most benefited from it, mainly because it is the largest beneficiary from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

The creation of this regime has given China the opportunity to strengthen its position in international fora, by obtaining a leadership position among developing countries and by contributing to improving its image of a responsible stakeholder. As the artcile shows, China’s negotiating position has evolved over the years: it has become more assertive, given China’s greater economic and political power, as well as more flexible. This is particularly true with regards to the application of its principles of 'non-interference' and 'national sovereignty', which needs to be balanced with the benefits that China has obtained from joining the climate change regime.

• Primary Source

College of Europe: Postgraduate programmes: EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies: Research Activities: EU China Observer http://www.coleurope.eu/template.asp?pagename=EUCO

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