Minister: G8 climate change pact flawed

Beijing took aim Thursday at a climate change pact reached by G8 leaders in Germany last week. China's new minister of science and technology, Wan Gang, said the agreement fails to specify obligations for developed countries and may also lead to a long debate over caps on greenhouse gas emissions, something that should be avoided , Wan said. The South China Morning Post reported the comments, which were among the first on last week's deal reached during the G8 summit in Germany, attended by Hu Jintao, China's president. The deal called on countries to pursue "substantial" cuts in emissions. It did not offer targets. The agreement "has failed to specify what will be the specific obligations or the responsibilities assigned to various countries," Wan said. He also pointed to the fact that the deal does not quantify reduction targets and commitments.