» 02/06/2012 CHINA - EUROPEAN UNION Beijing and Brussels at war "over planes" China does not intend to submit to air carbon tax scheme, which provides for a limitation of carbon dioxide in the mainland airports, and calls for Europe to act "wisely" in view of the next bilateral summit focused on the crisis.
Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Chinese government today banned national airlines to adhere to the air carbon tax implemented by the European Union last February 1 and has allowed companies to charge a fee to travelers to pay any extra fines imposed by the Old Continent. This is the last act of a battle between Beijing and Brussels on the eve of next week’s summit between the leaders of China and the EU.
The EU scheme provides for a significant reduction in the emission of gases harmful to the environment, for continental airplanes or foreign airlines that use European airports. It involves a fine of 100 Euros per tonne of carbon dioxide emitted outside standard EU parameters. China has decided not to adhere to the scheme because it believes the deal "an unfair trade barrier, intended to limit the entry of Chinese airlines in other markets."
An anonymous director of Chinese Civil Aviation this morning told the Xinhua news agency of the scheme, that "China hopes for Europe to act in a broader spectrum of action to combat climate change and improve Chinese-European relations. For our part, we will consider all necessary measures to defend the Chinese consumer and industrial development. "
The clash over emissions is part of a larger game being played by Beijing and Brussels. The leaders of China and EU are ready for a bilateral meeting set for next week, and the continent is hoping in Chinese investment to emerge from the current recession. China, for its part, said it "wants to help", but has remained vague about the contents of this help: this is why, on several occasions, the two governments have used trade agreements as a bargaining tool.
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