11/30/11 12:57pm

Article By: Marty Niland

China is scolding Canada for its rumored intent to walk out on the Kyoto Protocol.

Canadian officials have told reporters at the world climate talks in Durban, South Africa, that Kyoto is "in the past," however, they have refused to confirm or deny reports that they will pull out of the 1997 emissions deal among developed countries before it's scheduled expiration at the end of next year.

Chinese delegates in Durban tell china's official news agency, Xinhua, that Canada's potential withdrawal from Kyoto "will definitely add to the obstacles in our negotiation." Earlier, Reuters reported that Xinhua had published a commentary accusing Canada of "setting a bad example" to other developed nations.

Canada has said it supports a worldwide greenhouse gas emissions deal, but like the U.S., is calling for it to cover all nations, including China and India, which are excluded from Kyoto's targets.