May under fire, while China reaffirms accord

LONDON/BEIJING: UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday faced accusations of being subservient to the US and of dereliction of duty by not being part of a protest by European G7 members against Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord.

Downing Street said May expressed her disappointment during a phone call with Trump on Thursday, but did not respond to queries on whether she was asked to sign the protest letter by France, Germany and Italy.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called Trump’s decision “absolutely shocking” and said May not being part of the G7 letter showed her as subservient to Trump. Given the special US-UK relationship, May adding her signature to the letter would have given it more weight.

Meanwhile, China said it will uphold the accord, saying that as a “responsible” major country, it was Beijing’s responsibility to carry forward its principles.

“We think the Paris Accord reflects the widest agreement of the international community with regards to climate change, and parties should cherish this hard-won outcome,” Hua Chunying, ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson said at the regular ministry briefing.

“We also hear that our actions and leading role are applauded by the international community. We will earnestly implement our obligations,” she said.

“China will work with all relevant parties to enhance cooperation, press ahead with the negotiation and implementation of enforcement rules, and promote green, low-carbon and sustainable global growth,” she said.HTC