More on China's climate change position

Here's a link to an article from The Economist that covered the fallout from Copenhagen. I don't think it would be a stretch to say that the Chinese government doesn't want to be pinned because their top priority is job creation through economic growth and development. Focusing on preventing climate change would place additional costs on Chinese businesses through regulations, which would result in businesses having less cash to expand their operations (including hiring more people).

The PRC's perspective isn't without merit. The Bush administration during its 8 years in office constantly put economic growth ahead of the environment, citing it as a reason not to sign the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore, it seems a little hypocritical of the developed countries telling a developing country that it has be more concerned about climate change when those same nations have been adding to the rising CO2 emissions since the early 20th century.