According to a senior negotiator speaking to Reuters, China is open to incorporating its voluntary carbon emissions target into a mandatory UN resolution. This move could put pressure on developed countries to prolong the Kyoto Protocol. The outcome of the UN climate talks in Mexico's Cancun is dependent on reaching an agreement on solidifying national emissions targets post-2012, when the current round of Kyoto carbon caps expires. China's willingness to compromise is contingent on the United States committing to mandatory emissions reductions and an extension of the Kyoto Protocol, which currently includes nearly 40 developed countries but not the United States. Developing nations are in favor of continuing the protocol, while industrialized countries such as Japan, Russia, and Canada are pushing for a separate agreement that would regulate emissions for all nations. Previously, China had resisted the idea of making its domestic emissions targets mandatory, a requirement that currently applies to industrialized nations. "We have the ability to establish a resolution that China must adhere to," stated Huang Huikang, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's representative for climate change negotiations. "According to the (UN Climate) Convention, we could even implement a decision that is legally binding. The exact format can be discussed. Our contributions can be integrated into global initiatives." "We believe that addressing these issues does not require scrapping the Kyoto Protocol and beginning anew." Jennifer Morgan from the World Resources Institute in Washington described the proposal as a "gamechanger," highlighting its constructive nature and potential to pave the way for an agreement in Cancun. Alden Meyer from the Union of Concerned Scientists also viewed the proposal as a promising development, acknowledging that the specifics would be crucial. China's chief negotiator, Xie Zhenhua, later mentioned that China's targets could align with the Convention, allowing developing countries to use their own resources to make voluntary emissions commitments within the framework of the Convention. Huang stated that China would maintain its stance on including new emissions targets in an extended Kyoto agreement. Previously, China had insisted that its efforts were only binding domestically and could not be included in any international agreements. However, Huang now acknowledges that international cooperation is necessary and China is willing to compromise by fully participating in global efforts. Despite this willingness to compromise, China remains firm on not compromising on the issue of Kyoto. Last year at a summit in Copenhagen, developing nations, including China, the top carbon emitter, agreed to voluntarily take steps to reduce their emissions. China's commitment was to decrease its "carbon intensity" - the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per dollar of economic growth - by 40-45 percent by 2020 compared to 2005. Huang suggested that this intensity target could be included in a resolution.