Roundup - 26/11/2009

• China has announced that it intends to cut its carbon intensity (carbon emissions per unit of GDP) by 40-45% by 2020 ahead of the climate summit in Copenhagen. While the Chinese media has hailed the announcement as further proof of China's commitment to secure a binding deal on climate change, many were disappointed by the announcement. The targets mean that, due to China's rapid economic growth, carbon emissions would grow significantly over the next decade before leveling off. This is certainly a far lower target than President Obama's aim to cut overall emissions by almost 20% by 2020. Many hoped that China would make a bolder commitment and take a leading role in encouraging other developing countries to commit to carbon emission reductions.
  
  China also announced that Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the summit. This has drawn some criticism from those who hoped that President Hu Jintao would attend as he is in a more powerful position to make decisions in the later stages of the summit. However, some China-watchers have pointed out that, as Chairman of the Leading Small Group on Climate Change, Wen is the obvious choice and has considerable power to initiate policy decisions in the field. Some have commented that this may be a response to President Obama's decision to attend early in the summit instead of during the final decision-making stages.
  
  
  
• Xinhua reports that Beijing has criticised the USA's imposition of anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese-made oil pipes. The USA imposed the tariffs in response to allegations that China is unfairly subsidising the producers. The oil pipes are already subject to a 99% anti-dumping tarrif imposed earlier this month.
  
  
  
• China has aired it's first 'Made in China' advert on CNN. It is part of a global campaign to associate the 'Made in China' label with French fashion, European deasign and American technology. It's tagline is 'Made in China. Made with the World.'
  
  
  
• 8 cases of mutated H1N1 virus have been found in mainland China. Officials say that the new strain is not resistant to current treatments.