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Chinese, US presidents in phone link on ties, climate change

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-21 19:41

BEIJING: Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, exchanged views on bilateral ties and climate change during a phone conversation Wednesday morning.

Obama expressed appreciation over China's contribution to the success of the G20 Pittsburgh summit in September, saying that he looked forward to visiting China in November and discussing with Hu issues of mutual concern.

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Looking forward to exchanging views on their bilateral relations and important regional and international issues with Obama, Hu said, "China is ready to work with the U.S. side to ensure a successful visit by President Obama and further promote the positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship between the two countries."

On climate change, Hu said the Copenhagen Conference to be held in December would be an important meeting of the international community in efforts to tackle climate change.

It conforms to the interests of all parties concerned, including China and the United States, to strive for a wide consensus and a successful Copenhagen Conference on the basis of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, under the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" among developed and developing countries, and in line with the Bali Roadmap, Hu said.

"Although problems remain in talks for a final deal, there are hopes for a positive result at the Copenhagen Conference as long as the convening parties work together closely," he said.

It is essential that any result of the conference should embody the basic principles of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, and lock on the achievements of the Bali Roadmap, he added.

"With shared challenges and interests in dealing with climate change, cooperation between China and the United States not only benefits collective global efforts against the problem, but also is highly significant for the progress of their relations," said the Chinese president.

China was ready to work with all sides concerned, including the United States, to enhance coordination and cooperation for a positive result at the Copenhagen Conference, a better collective fight against climate change and a greater contribution to sustainable development worldwide, he said.

For his part, Obama said as the Copenhagen Conference is imminent, the United States is willing to work with all parties concerned to push for achievements of the meeting. Both the Untied States and China have taken important measures in dealing with climate change. The two sides should make concerted efforts to push for the adoption of concrete and meaningful steps in facing up to the challenges of climate change at the Copenhagen Conference, and to make the conference a success, he said.