Openly aggressive comments have been exchanged all week between Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei and US representative Todd Stern. Open? Yes that’s correct. It seems China is on a roll these days with a lack of diplomacy after Prime Minister Harper was publicly rebuked in Beijing just last week.  Anywho, it seems China’s a little POed that the other North American state does not deem them as a viable candidate for public funding for climate aid. The Chinese Vice Foreign Minister was quoted saying:

"I don't want to say the gentleman is ignorant. I think he lacks common sense where he made such a comment vis-a-vis funds for China. Either lack of common sense or extremely irresponsible." Meow!

I love how he preludes his comment with “I don’t want to say” and then says it anyways. That’s just like “no offense,” one of my greatest pet peeves. Please note: “no offense” is just a disclaimer for “you will not like the following” and then saying it anyways. So not cool beans.

Back to COP15, it seems China is lumped together with the developing nations in climate talks, and the US does not believe it to be one of the neediest countries (Uh-you think?!). Stern is quoted saying:

"I don't envision public funds — certainly not from the United States — going to China. China to its great credit has a dynamic economy, and sits on some two trillion dollars in reserves. So we don't think China would be the first candidate for public funding." That’s nice. Kill them with kindness Stern.

The US and China are the two greatest greenhouse polluters on the planet. They need to stop throwing jabs and start assuming greater responsibility. I don’t mind a little conference drama, so long as the two most popular kids get the name calling out of the way early on in the conference so that they don’t stall negotiations.

Until next time.

Same green time, same green station.

Brittany

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