Xi ready to point way on climate

After unprecedented Paris summit, president will promote prosperity during two Africa stops

The world is expected to learn how its second-largest economy will deal with climate change, and how it will help bring prosperity to the least-developed continent - all with a France-Africa visit by President Xi Jinping that starts on Sunday.

For the first time, the Chinese president will attend and address the opening ceremony of the UN climate conference, joining an unprecedented gathering of world leaders to push for a pact to curb global warming.

The United Nations Climate Secretariat said on Wednesday that senior officials from nearly 200 nations and regions will meet in the conference hall on the outskirts of Paris on Sunday.

While details of his tight schedule have yet to be announced, Xi is sure to meet with the leader of the host country, French President Francois Hollande, for their second meeting within a month.

On Nov 2, Xi and Hollande issued a joint statement on climate change in Beijing, vowing to promote a working program to accelerate pre-2020 efforts for mitigation, adaptation and support during the Paris climate change summit.

During his stay of less than 48 hours in Paris, Xi is also scheduled to meet with US President Barack Obama, with whom Xi has also issued a joint statement, reaffirming their commitment to reaching an ambitious agreement this year that reflects the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

To cope with climate change, China has vowed that by 2030, it would cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60 to 65 percent per unit of GDP from the level in 2005. It also has pledged to increase non-fossil fuel sources in primary energy consumption to about 20 percent and peak its carbon emissions by 2020.

Xie Zhenhua, China's special representative on climate change issues, said he expected the delegates to reach an "ambitious, strong and legally binding" agreement at the end of the two-week conference.

Dennis Pamlin, founder of the Sweden-based consultancy 21st Century Frontiers, said, "The positive atmosphere right now allows us to reflect on how we can achieve what is really needed to avoid dangerous climate change rather than discussing who is to blame for the failure of negotiations.

"The climate meeting in Paris is a good example of where such positive leadership could start. President Xi's attendance and China's contribution are an essential part of such global leadership."

Xi will visit Zimbabwe on Monday and Tuesday, and from Tuesday to Saturday, he will visit South Africa, where he will co-chair the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation with South African President Jacob Zuma.

The meeting is expected to announce new measures to promote China's comprehensive cooperation with Africa, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Fu Jing in Paris and Xinhua contributed to this story.

zhaohuanxin@chinadaily.com.cn