Addressing climate change common responsibility of mankind: Chinese official

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden addresses the closing ceremony of "China-U.S. Climate-Smart/Low Carbon Cities Summit," in Los Angeles, the United States, on Sept. 17, 2015. Yang Jiechi, the Special Envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden attended the closing ceremony on Wednesday of "China-U.S. Climate-Smart/Low Carbon Cities Summit," which is short for the second China-U.S. Climate Leaders Summit. (Xinhua/Zhang Chaoqun)

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 17 -- Climate change is a major challenge facing the world, and to address it is the common responsibility of mankind, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi said here Wednesday.

Yang, a special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, was here to attend the closing ceremony of a two-day China-U.S. Climate Leaders Summit, just a week ahead of a planned meeting between Xi and U.S. President Barack Obama.

The climate summit on Tuesday and Wednesday, gathered officials at different levels of both countries to discuss strategies and measures to combat climate change.

Yang noted that Xi and Obama reached an important agreement on climate change during their meeting in Beijing last November. The Los Angeles event was an important action to implement the joint announcement of the two presidents, as it vigorously promoted international cooperation in climate change and injected new momentum to global cooperation in this regard, he said.

"This year marks the 36th anniversary of establishing the China-U.S. diplomatic relations. Over the past 36 years, this relationship has kept moving forward and made historic achievements," Yang said.

"I believe that in the concerted practice on both sides, President Xi's visit will further enhance mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples, expand tactical cooperation across the board, and inject strong vitality to the building of the new model of major-country relationship."

Yang met briefly with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden after the summit.

The upcoming state visit by President Xi is of great significance to China-U.S.relations, as well as to the development of international situation, Yang said during the meeting.

China is willing to take joint efforts with the United States to ensure the success of the visit, he added.

Biden said that the two countries have broad common interests and that the further development of the bilateral relations has an important influence on world peace and prosperity.

He expected the two leaders can have in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues during Xi's visit.