High time to discard 'Chinese debt trap' hypocrisy
News about economic and political unrest in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal have been burning local media for weeks. Many worry if Bangladesh will follow suit. As a matter of experience, conspiracy theory usually comes along with public panic. Unsurprisingly, I see the 'Chinese debt trap' hypocrisy hauled out again by some Sinophobes. According to Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry, the US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland "discussed possible implications of dependence on a particular country for development project financing" during the US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue held last month. As many local media decipher it, the US side "renewed its advice to Bangladesh on moving away from China, and assured support by the Indo-Pacific Strategy". It echoed another statement made by Indian Minister of External Affairs Mr Jaishankar during the Munich Security Conference this February that he "advised Bangladesh to move away from China and turn to QUAD". As a civilisation rich of humbleness and inclusiveness, China welcomes critiques from all walks of the international community - as long as they are tenable and reasonable. Before accepting the 'debt trap' verdict imposed on China by the 'world police' and its 'fellas down under', it is necessary to check whether the accusation stands the test of fact.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.