China has promised to do more to help tackle climate change but says the main responsibility rests with rich industrialised countries.
Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said China, as a developing country, will 'positively participate' in the fight against climate change, according to its own abilities and economic development.
He was reacting to comments by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, who yesterday called on China to do more to combat global warming.
China is one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases and a Dutch government research body last month said China's emissions of carbon dioxide surpassed those of the US in 2006.
Mr Qin said the developed world could provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries to help them make the transition to cleaner energy.
IOC concerns
With the Olympic Games due to be held in Beijing next year, initiatives are in place to reduce pollution levels in the Chinese capital.
One million cars will be removed from the city's streets next month in a trial run aimed at appeasing the International Olympic Committee's concerns over air quality.
IOC director of communications Giselle Davies confirmed that a number of trial plans were in place designed to prepare the city for the games.
Organisers have announced their intent to replace 50,000 old taxis and 10,000 buses by the end of the year, as well as plans to renovate over 16,000 coal-burning factories.
China has slowed, but not reversed, a rising tide of pollution from frenetic industrialisation, in the face of increasing public anger over polluted air and water.
The country had promised to cut emissions of major pollutants by 10% between 2006 and 2010, but failed last year to meet the intitial annual target.
