From Tiajin, an inside look at climate talks being hosted by Chinese. Reporting is from Angel Hsu, of Yale University, in the Atlantic:
[Chinese negotiator] Su's comments in the corridors of the Tianjin Meijiang Convention Center reflect his obvious frustration with what he feels is hypocrisy on the part of the U.S. in the climate negotiations. During a press conference, Su criticized the United States for failing to meet its UNFCCC commitments, particularly in terms of pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to provide financial assistance to developing countries. He said it was unfair for the United States to criticize China and make them the scapegoat in the climate debates when the United States itself "isn't doing anything,"
The differences…culminated with the Chinese lead negotiator Su Wei calling the US a "pig preening itself in a mirror." In the classical Chinese idiom where Su derived the comparison, Zhubajie zhao jinzi, li wai bu shi ren – meaning "pig in mirror, not human inside or outside" – the half-man, half-pig character Zhubajie is portrayed as lazy, gluttonous, and idiotic. Needless to say, in Chinese culture, this less-than-desirable comparison is considered an undiplomatic slight.
The Chinese called the United States "a half-man, half-pig" in a press conference? Jeez.
What next — will the lead negotiator throw down a gauntlet, demand a duel at dawn? Holy cow.
No coverage in the papers in the U.S. of course…
Kit Stolz 