China has banned its airlines from paying a carbon emissions charge imposed by the European Union on flights, the official news agency Xinhua reported on Monday, referring to the country’s Civil Aviation Administration.
"China objects to the EU's decision to impose the scheme on non-EU airlines, and has expressed its concerns over the scheme through various channels," the statement said.
"China will consider adopting the necessary measures to protect the interests of Chinese individuals and companies, pending the development of the issue."
The EU's decision to charge flights into and out of EU airports for carbon emissions from January 1, this year "runs contrary to the relevant principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and international civil aviation regulations," the Chinese aviation regulator said in a statement.
Chinese airlines are also not allowed to add any other fees without government permission.
The EU's Emissions Trading Scheme is one of the widest-reaching measures adopted by any country or regional bloc to regulate the greenhouse gas emissions blamed for climate change. It is estimated that around 4,000 airlines will have to pay the EU for their carbon emissions.
