Beijing - New pressures in Sino-US relations emerged yesterday with China pledging its support for the Kyoto Protocol which the US rejected last week, writes Miriam Donohoe.
EU environment officials confirmed in Beijing that China had reiterated its support for the key environment agreement aimed at combating global warming.
Two weeks ago, President Bush said the US would no longer back the Kyoto Protocol, which lays down rules for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
A team of EU officials lobbying for the Kyoto Protocol is currently on a tour of Russia, Iran, Japan and China. The Swedish Environment Minister, Mr Kjell Larsson, yesterday praised China for curbing the use of coal and increasing energy efficiency.