Shen Danyang, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, says the EU should repeal its carbon tax move. [China.org.cn/He Shan]

A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce urged the European Union to repeal its carbon tax on flights entering and leaving the euro zone.

In a unilateral move, the EU began to impose the carbon emissions tax on flights to and from the EU on Jan. 1 of this year. The move has triggered a flurry of protests from dozens of Europe's largest trading partners including the US, China and Russia.

"China hopes the EU can look at the big picture and give up unilateral action on carbon tax to avoid trade friction and impacts on international trade," said Shen Danyang, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, at a news conference in Beijing on Mar. 15.

"Air transportation is an important means of realizing international trade," Shen said. "Any limitation imposed on the aviation market will significantly impact international trade."

Last week, China suggested that it would delay at least $12 billion worth of Airbus aircraft orders as long as the EU insists on including foreign airlines in its emissions trading system (ETS), adding fuel to an already-brewing trade war.

Shan said he is not in a position to make any comments about China's decision, but reinstated China's stance on the EU's move. "The EU's unilateral inclusion of international aviation into its carbon emission trading scheme will distort the international aviation market and thus harm the development of international trade."

He added that this move not only hurts non-EU countries but will have an adverse impact on the EU itself.

Contact the writer of this story at: hes@china.org.cn.

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