China-US co-op on climate 'very successful'

Leaders from China and the US discuss joint efforts to combat climate change in Washington on Tuesday. From left: former US Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson, who moderated the discussion; Vice-Premier Wang Yang; Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew; State Councilor Yang Jiechi; Secretary of State John Kerry. The discussion was part of events on the opening day of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. Amy He / China Daily

Cooperation on climate change between China and the United States is "very successful" and could set an example for South-North cooperation in this field, Xie Zhenhua, China's special representative on climate change affairs, said here Monday.

Xie made the remarks on the eve of the seventh China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue, a platform for the two countries to address bilateral, regional and global challenges and opportunities.

China and the United States have engaged in policy dialogue on climate change for more than seven years and reached consensus on the science of climate change, Xie told an event celebrating private-sector engagement in advancing the China-US Climate Change Working Group, which was initiated in 2013.

Xie noted that the Chinese government has attached great importance to the issue of climate change. For example, if China is to achieve its target of capping greenhouse gas emissions around 2030, it's estimated a total investment of 41 trillion renminbi yuan (about 6.72 trillion US dollars) is needed to improve energy efficiency and develop renewable energy.

The world must work together to ensure the success of the Paris climate talks, scheduled for December this year, by reaching a multilateral deal that is acceptable to all parties, the veteran climate negotiator said.