China and the Kyoto Protocols China did indeed sign the Kyoto Protocols on May 29th in 1998. It then ratified the protocol in its government on August 30th in 2002. On February 16th of 2005, China entered into the force. In 2005, China was the world’s number one emitter of Greenhouse Gases, clocking in at seventeen percent of all the world’s emissions, although, per capita, out of the top ten positions, they are second to last. (China) During their five years as a member, China has only reported in once, although China is a Non Annex party due to its still growing economy and classification as a low income state. During these five years, China’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions have increased from 5.8 tons to 6.2 tons. (Kanter) I find China’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocols to be motivated on political and cultural premises. Ever since the end of Maoism, China has always been trying to appear as an eager participant in all of the world’s affairs by proving its worth to the world through political and economic prowess. The intense modernization, the friendliness towards companies willing to do work there, and fervent attempts to host the Olympics, World Expo, and other events have all been ways that China have used to attempt to dazzle the world. The Kyoto Protocols, something that China had no way of properly enforcing in light of their massive expansion, is just another way that China is showing the world that it is a great country. The reason that China could not possibly properly enforce the Kyoto Protocols is because China is still expanding at an alarming rate. China has been growing its economy at a breakneck average of ten percent increase in GDP every year for the past thirty years. In 2010, China’s GDP moved to second place behind the United States, and it is rumored that it may surpass the US within the next ten years. With such growth, China