GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel has praised China’s commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2060, saying it should encourage European countries to do more to reduce emissions.

Ms Merkel told the Bundestag that Beijing’s target should be seen in light of the economic development it has ahead of it compared to developed countries, and stressed: “It’s beyond debate that we need to work with China when it comes to protecting the climate.

“And unlike other large emitters, it’s encouraging that China stands by the Paris climate accord,” she added in a swipe at the United States.

Environment Minister Svenja Schulze added: “Two of the world’s most economically robust regions, the EU and China, are reinforcing the effectiveness of the Paris agreement.”

However, Ms Merkel’s government has been accused of hypocrisy on the issue, having deployed police to attack environmental activists protesting against the destruction of villages to expand lignite mining in the Rhineland.

“The police rode horses into peaceful groups of people, beat them up and let loose muzzled dogs on them,” German newspaper Junge Welt reported.