1.  Chinese premier, EU's Barroso discuss climate change over phone

BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso exchanged views on climate change and China-EU cooperation on Monday during a telephone conversation.

The upcoming UN climate change conference in Copenhagen should aim to achieve positive results in the full, effective and sustained implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, Wen said.

"Emphasis should be put on making clear and detailed arrangements for mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and financing," he added.

"The key to success at the conference is to uphold the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, the principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities' and the authorization of the Bali Road Map," he said.

President Hu Jintao had made clear China's position and specific measures at the UN climate change summit in September, he said.

The premier specified six aspects China will give priority to in its next steps. That included integrating actions on climate change into its economic and social development plan, implementing and improving the National Climate Change Program, promoting the green economy, and reinforcing the comprehensive capability in coping with climate change.

Work also needs to be done in improving legislation on dealing with climate change and boosting international exchanges and cooperation, Wen said.

China highly values its relations with the European Union and both sides should further deepen the strategic mutual trust and strengthen all-round cooperation under new conditions, Wen said.

China is ready to work with the EU to push for a success of the Copenhagen conference and promote the comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU, he added.

In the telephone conversation, Barroso briefed Wen on the EU's position and proposals on climate change.

Barroso said the EU appreciates China's efforts in coping with climate change and its achievements in energy saving and emission reduction.

The EU hopes to enhance coordination and cooperation with China to make sure the Copenhagen conference produces positive outcomes, and expects to make joint efforts with China to push bilateral cooperation to a new level, Barroso said.

Source: Xinhua (www.chinaview.cn)

Extended Reading

1A.Chinese President Hu Jintao addresses the opening ceremony of the United Nations Climate Change Summit

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/23/content_12098954.htm

2.  China's GDP growth accelerates to 8.9% in Q3, with the recovery trend "consolidated"  

China's economic growth accelerated to 8.9 percent year on year in the third quarter, and 7.7 percent year on year in the first nine months, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Oct 22.

A statement was issued earlier on Oct 21 after an executive meeting of the State Council, or the Cabinet. China has reversed the downward trend in economic growth thanks to the timely and full implementation and continuous enrichment of the government's economic stimulus package and other policies to address the global financial crisis, it said.  

The country's quarterly economic growth picked up speed in the first three quarters of this year and the contribution of domestic demand to economic growth was enhanced. The country was actively promoting industrial restructuring as well as energy conservation and emission reduction, and had done well in optimizing demand structure, improving people's livelihood and boosting urban employment, according to the statement.

A key point of China's macro-regulation in the coming months this year would be to balance the tasks of ensuring a stable and relatively fast economic growth, adjusting economic structure and regulating inflation prospects. The country would continue the proactive fiscal policy and moderately easy monetary policy, and maintain continuity and stability in its macroeconomic policy. The statement said the country's economic and social development was in a critical period of stabilization and moving upward. The government should take into full consideration of all kinds of difficulties and make ample preparations for all possible challenges, it said.

According to a report issued by China Construction Bank (CCB) on Nov 3, China's economic growth would exceed 10 percent in the fourth quarter due to climbing export orders and increasing domestic consumption.

The report said China's full year economic growth would reach 8.3 percent, compared with Asian Bank's forecast of 8.2 percent in September and HSBC's 8.1 percent this week.

As the economy rebounded, both investor and consumer confidence would rise in the fourth quarter, which would further strengthen the economic recovery.

Source: Xinhua (www.chinaview.cn)