China's Denial of Obstructing G20 Climate Talks Sparks Controversy

China's foreign ministry denies reports that it obstructed discussions on tackling climate change at the recent G20 meetings in India, stating that the reports are "completely inconsistent with the facts." The G20 failed to issue a joint communique or make new pledges on climate action, with China and Saudi Arabia being accused of backing away from commitments. China, the world's largest coal producer, has faced calls to do more to cut greenhouse gas emissions but argues that its historical and per capita emissions are lower than those of the United States. Despite pledging to peak emissions before the end of the decade and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, China's fossil fuel consumption continues to rise.