Flexibility at Durban gives hope

DURBAN, South Africa - China's openness toward a legally binding climate deal that would come into effect after 2020 has given a boost to the ongoing climate change talks in Durban.

Experts said the flexibility that China showed is encouraging, but it's also important to pressure developed countries for much deeper emission reduction targets.

"China is willing to shoulder responsibilities in line with its development and capability as long as the legal framework after 2020 will comply with the principles of 'common but differentiated' responsibilities," Xie Zhenhua, China's top climate negotiator, said on the sidelines of the Durban meeting.

He laid out five preconditions of such a legal framework, including an extension of the Kyoto Protocol and actions by developed countries to help developing countries adapt to climate change.

Xie, deputy minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said there are no new requirements, but countries need to implement the commitments and legal documents that have already been agreed to.

Tim Gore, Oxfam climate change policy adviser, said what seems to be missing in China's conditions is requesting deeper emission reduction targets from developed countries before 2020.

"This flexibility from China is really encouraging, which shows China is going to be a partner in building a regime we need to fight climate change. But we can't let the United States and other developed countries off the hook regarding emission reduction targets," he said.