Truth behind US-China 'concerted' efforts

• Source: Global Times
• [02:47 December 17 2009]
• Comments

Audiences of the movie 2012 cheer the ending in which China and the US-led developed nations survive a planet-devastating disaster through joint efforts.

That is in the reel world. In the real world, in Copenhagen, the world is looking to China and the US to save the Earth.

Concerted efforts by China and the US may sound encouraging, and be seen as the panacea to a number of issues the world is grappling with.

Yet what happened at the UN climate change conference reveals the true intentions of the US behind its public posture in favor of concerted efforts.
B
arely a month after US President Barack Obama's maiden visit to China and release of the joint statement that "the two sides believe that climate change should respect the developing countries to integrate economic and social development as a priority," American politicians are shirking their duty and targeting China at Copenhagen.

By making a vague and non-verifiable emission cutting commitment – much lower than expected of the largest greenhouse gas producer for decades – the US is stubbornly questioning China's emission pledge.

Since Obama took office, the US has been repeatedly asking China to share more responsibilities in world affairs. Terms such as G2 are invented to make the demand sound more appealing.

Fighting climate change is one of the areas where coordinated efforts of the two countries can help solve critical issues confronting the world.