Former French prime minister Michel Rocard (middle), Minister Counselor of Chinese Embassy to France Li Shaoping (third from right), Member of Standing Committee of NPC Wang Yi (first from left), Europe Bureau Chief of China Daily Ji Tao (third from left) and other guests attend the launch ceremony of China Daily Climate Watch on Friday in Paris. [Photo by by Wang Xiao For China Daily]

In joining in drum-up efforts of UN climate change summit next year, China Daily has officially launched its weekly special Climate Watch in Paris on Friday.

France will host the crucial talks to determine the world's carbon cutting road map during 2020-30 period.

Former French prime minister Michel Rocard, Minister Counselor of Chinese Embassy to France Li Shaoping, Member of Standing Committee of National People's Congress Wang Yi, Europe Bureau Chief of China Daily Ji Tao and other guests have attended the launch ceremony of China Daily Climate Watch on Friday in Paris.

In his address, Ji, also assistant editor-in-chief of the media group, said China Daily is China's leading English-language media group and for long and it has been devoting editorial resources to reporting environment, energy, climate change and other green issues.

"As the crucial UN climate change summit will be held in Paris this time next year, we began publishing from last week special reports to mark the one-year countdown to the climate change summit," Ji addressed more than 100 guests at the ceremony.

Coincidentally, the group is celebrating the fourth anniversary of China Daily European Weekly, which features in-depth analyses, insightful stories on trade, investment, economy, cultures and people-to-people exchanges between China and Europe.

"I am delighted to tell you that, with an audited circulation of 100,000 copies weekly, we are gratified with the response in Europe so far," Ji said.

Ji continued: "In this spirit, we officially kick off our Climate Watch pages today. We will pay special attention to China's endeavors to push forward the UN climate change agenda."

In this weekly special, Ji said China Daily will devote major editorial resources to track China's green stories, environment and climate challenges and its cooperation with global partners to solve the problems.

"This time next year, we will, hopefully gather again to celebrate success in Paris, celebrate China Daily European Weekly's fifth anniversary and the first birthday of our new baby, Climate Watch," said Ji.

fujing@chinadaily.com.cn