China slams Donald Trump’s plan to back out of climate change agreement

'If they resist this trend, I don't think they'll win the support of their people'

Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at the Bank of Colorado Arena on the campus of University of Northern Colorado October 30, 2016 in Greeley, Colorado. With less than nine days until Americans go to the polls, Trump is campaigning in Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty)

China is criticizing Donald Trump’s plan to back out of the global climate change deal that 200 governments have agreed upon.

Xie Zhenhua, China’s special climate-change representative, made a rare comment on a foreign election by telling reporters on Tuesday that Mr Trump would receive significant backlash should he become president and dishonor the deal.

"If they resist this trend, I don't think they'll win the support of their people, and their country's economic and social progress will also be affected," the top official said, according to Reuters.

The deal, championed by President Barack Obama, will go into effect on Friday. His country has promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 per cent by 2025 while China promised to significantly reduce carbon emissions by 2030.

“I don’t think ordinary people would agree if you were to reject that trend,” he explained.

“I’m convinced, if it’s a wise leader—especially a political leader—he ought to know that all his policies should conform to the trends of global development.”