Copenhagen, Dec 19 (IANS) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told US President Barack Obama that the key to climate change issue is to stick to the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities”.
Climate change is a global challenge and an important field for cooperation between China and the US, Xinhua quoted Wen as saying during his meeting with Obama Friday.

Wen said the Chinese government has announced its goal of controlling greenhouse gas emissions, which demonstrates China’s sincerity and determination to deal with climate change, and work with the international community on this issue.

China has voluntarily launched mitigation measures and put them under the supervision of domestic law and mass media, he said. Beijing is also willing to hold discussions with other countries on transparency of its mitigation measures, he added.

China welcomes the promise of the US to provide financial support to the least developed countries, said Wen, noting that the key is to take concrete action to help developing countries deal with climate change.

China is willing to strengthen communication and consultation with the US to enhance mutual trust, and to push for a fair, reasonable and practical deal at the Copenhagen conference, thus delivering hope and confidence to the whole world, said Wen.

Obama told Wen that the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be followed in the global fight against climate change.

Obama said China’s emission reduction target is ambitious and impressive and important for the entire world.

As a developing country, the largest challenge China is facing is to develop its economy and alleviate poverty, he said. Therefore, China should not be required to adopt the same measures as the US or other developed countries.

Obama said he appreciated China’s willingness to have transparency on its voluntary emission reduction measures. The US is ready to work with China for a successful Copenhagen climate change conference and to strengthen long-term cooperation in the fight against climate change.