‘India,China front key for positive Copenhagen outcome’

He also slammed the developed nations,who he said were already prepared to lay the blame of any failure of the climate talks on China.

“Financial resources for efforts of developing countries (to combat climate change are) a legal obligation… That does not mean China will take a share ¿ probably not,” He said in an interview to Financial Times.

“We do not expect money will flow from the US,UK (and others) to China,” he said.

The US and China shared heated arguments over the issue of funds for sponsoring clean technologies in developing countries at the climate change summit here.

US negotiator Todd Stern said last week that China should not expect funding from the United States which should flow to poorer countries,prompting He to say that Stern either “lacks common sense” or is “extremely irresponsible”.

However,He stuck to the position that national mitigation targets announced by developing nations cannot be made “verifiable” as demanded by the developed countries.

“This is a matter of principle,” and China would not bend them,the paper quoted him as saying.

Pointing out that the developed countries have been polluting the environment since 1850 and contributed to most of 1.222 trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide,the Chinese envoy said “those who created the problem should bear the responsibility.”

Seeking to draw a distinction in responsibilities between the rich nations and developing countries,he said “for us,emissions are for development,but for the US the emissions are for luxury. How can we bear similar responsibilities?”

Noting that China’s views were the same as that of India,he insisted on the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” to tackle the pressing challenge of climate change.

With regard to the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) pressing for a separate draft pact at the Copenhagen talks,Zhang said the developed nations were trying to split the developing countries to weaken their voice.

“Developed nations are trying to split the ranks of developing countries to serve their purpose…. If we are divided by developed countries,our strength will reduce and we may not be able to achieve the common goal,” he said.

“So it is important for India,China along with Brazil and South Africa come up with one voice and achieve results which are in the interests of all developing nations,” Zhang said.

“We are relatively big and strong. We have weight. It is easy for us to work together,to take the lead in mobilising strength of developing countries,” he said.