China won't repeat old path of unlimited emissions

China will stay the course of sustainable, low-carbon and green development and will never repeat developed countries' old path of high energy consumption and unlimited emissions, China's climate chief negotiator said Wednesday.

China still has a large population living in poverty and it is confronted with a lot of challenges, such as the reduction of poverty, improving living standards and responding to climate change, Xie Zhenhua, head of the Chinese delegation, said at an open plenary during the UN Climate Conference.

"However, such challenges also provide opportunities for countries like China to transform the pattern of its economic growth," he said.

The Chinese government last year announced its mitigation actions, aiming at reducing carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 40 to 45 percent from 2005 levels by 2020.

"Achieving these targets will require tremendous long-term efforts," Xie said. "China will adopt comprehensive policies to slow down the speed of emission growth, and strive to reach emission peak as soon as possible."

China won't repeat old path of unlimited emissions