China, India oppose 2050 emissions cut goal - France

TOYAKO, Japan (Reuters) - China and India are not ready to sign up to a goal set by the Group of Eight industrial nations to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 50 percent by 2050, a French presidential aide said on Wednesday.

But the aide said the two fast-growing Asian economies, which together account for 25 percent of the emissions that scientists say are contributing to global warming, would be willing to take action later.

"China and India don't adhere for the time being to the goal of a 50 percent cut by 2050, but there is a willingness to participate later," the official told reporters.

He was speaking after the G8 -- Japan, Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Russia and the United States -- discussed climate change with China, India, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil. Those countries were later joined by Australia, South Korea and Indonesia in a so-called Major Economies Meeting.

The G8, especially the United States, says it cannot work towards its goal of halving carbon pollution unless fast-growing economies such as China agree to curb their own emissions.

President Hu Jintao said that China took climate change very seriously and that developing countries should make whatever contribution they can in the fight against global warming.

But he said the onus had to be on rich countries.

"Developed countries should make explicit commitments to continue to take the lead in emissions reductions," Hu said.

His remarks were distributed in English by Chinese officials.