China, U.S. discuss climate change

BEIJING, June 8 (UPI) -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang, praising the U.S. stand on climate change, called for substantial cooperation on the issue between the two nations.

After his meeting Monday in Beijing with U.S. special envoy on climate change Todd Stern, Li said China "has noticed the change of the U.S. government on climate change as well as the positive measures it has taken," the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Stern was quoted as saying the United States is ready to enhance dialogue and cooperation on energy, environment and climate change, and to work closely for the success of the Copenhagen Conference. China and the United States, the world's two top emitters of carbon gases, are working to get a joint deal on climate change before the United Nations summit on climate change to be held in Denmark this year.

The summit will replace the global warming agreement reached in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997. The Copenhagen summit will seek to secure a global agreement to slash greenhouse gas emissions.

China, concerned about its economic growth, has in the past insisted developed countries should do more to cut greenhouse gases.

The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama, unlike the previous administration which opposed Kyoto, wants climate change to be the key piece in its new relationship with China, the report said.

Li said China would like to maintain the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" among developed and developing countries, actively participate in negotiations and play a constructive role to promote positive results from the conference, Xinhua said.