President Obama continues in his misguided notion that U.S.-China cooperation in climate- change negotiations is possible even when the Chinese president tells him directly that Beijing's agenda is fundamentally different.
In Beijing, Mr. Obama told reporters, "Our aim ... is not a partial accord or a political declaration, but rather an accord that covers all of the issues in the negotiations and one that has immediate operational affect." He wants a "comprehensive agreement" that can "rally the world."
Yet, only moments later, Chinese President Hu Jintao reiterated what has been Beijing's position throughout the long march toward a new global climate treaty that started at Bali in 2007. China will only conduct climate talks on the basis of the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" that is enshrined in U.N. documents.
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