China said it will not require domestic airlines to pay carbon emission taxes imposed by the European Union on flights to and from Europe.

The State Council said Chinese airlines need approval if they want to join the emission plan, which the Chinese Government has denounced as an unfair trade barrier.

From January 1, the EU began charging airlines using EU airports for carbon emissions based on its Emission Trading Scheme.

The money will not be collected until April 30 next year, however, and China has added its voice to a growing global protest ahead of the date.