He noted that per capita emissions in China are less than a third of those in developed countries. "If one person eats three slices of bread for breakfast while the other three have only one slice each, who you think should be on a diet?" he asked.

"I don't think it's justified for some people to take the moral high ground and speak plausibly about the overall amount of China's greenhouse gas emissions."

He noted that on climate change, people should look at not only the aggregate, but also per capita figures; not only the present but also history; and not only production but also consumption.

"I hope when people use high-quality but inexpensive Chinese products, they also remember that China is under increasing pressure from 'transfer emissions'," Yang said.

Sino-US relations

China is willing to increase imports from the United States and resume human rights dialogue, he said.

Yang said the US has directly benefited from Chinese exports despite the trade imbalance, pointing out that more than 60 percent of Chinese products exported to the US are made by foreign companies and joint ventures, many of them US companies.

He also said China is ready to hold a dialogue in human rights with the US on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

"But we are strongly opposed to the practices of clinging to the Cold War mentality, drawing lines according to ideology, launching confrontation and exercising double standards on human rights issues, and interfering in China's domestic affairs in the name of human rights."

Sino-Japanese relations

Yang confirmed that President Hu Jintao would visit Japan as scheduled this spring, denying reports about a postponement of the visit to some time in May.

The two countries' dispute in the case of contaminated dumplings had led to speculation that the visit might be delayed.

Yang expressed the hope that the authorities from the two sides, the police in particular, communicate and cooperate in an objective and scientific manner to arrive at the truth as early as possible.

On other issues:

Tibet: The Dalai Lama issue is neither religious nor ethnic, but one concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Safety (after reports of a foiled plane hijacking): China is one of the safest places in the world, Yang said. "If you don't believe it, you can ask your ambassador in China, or any ambassador from Western countries."

Xinhua contributed to the story