ISTANBUL

China on Monday urged the EU to fulfill the goals of the Paris climate change agreement, underscoring that green cooperation is a key feature of China-EU relations.

“Both sides actively support low-carbon transition and green development, firmly uphold the international climate governance system,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a news conference in Beijing.

She said the two sides “share extensive common interests and enormous cooperation space on addressing climate change,” stressing that climate change affects all of humanity and demands global collaboration.

“China, while adjusting its energy mix and pursuing green development, is also working closely with the rest of the world to actively contribute to global climate governance,” Mao said, according to an official transcript.

She highlighted joint projects like the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station, the Thrace Wind Project in Greece, and Germany's Dollen solar park as milestones in China-EU green cooperation.

“China is committed to green and low-carbon development,” Mao added, noting that non-fossil fuels now make up 17.9% of China’s energy and that carbon intensity has dropped over 34% in the past decade.

Her remarks came after media reports claimed that EU may delay a joint climate declaration with China unless China commits to deeper emission cuts.

“We stand ready to work with the EU to uphold multilateralism, fulfill the goals identified in the Paris Agreement, strengthen cooperation on mitigation and adaptation and green and low-carbon transition, and contribute to better global climate governance,” she added.

The US in January left the Paris climate change agreement, with President Donald Trump saying Washington “will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity."