Climate fight will not stall because certain countries drop out, China says

Global cooperation on climate change will not falter due to the withdrawal of individual nations, China's environment minister declared on Monday.

Huang Runqiu addressed a meeting of governments in Brussels, stating, "The multilateral process will not stop or even slow down because of the absence of individual countries." His comments were made as countries gear up for another United Nations climate summit, this time without the participation of the United States.

The meeting, co-hosted by China, the European Union, and Canada, also included representatives from Japan, Australia, and South Africa. The U.S. has twice withdrawn from the Paris Agreement under President Donald Trump, first in 2017 and again in January. Despite these withdrawals, no other nation has opted to leave the international climate treaty.

China's assertion underscores its commitment to the Paris Agreement and signals a determination to maintain momentum in climate action, even in the face of significant geopolitical shifts. The minister's statement aims to reassure participating nations and reinforce the collective responsibility to address the global climate crisis.

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The multilateral process will not stop or even slow down because of the absence of individual countries.