China, EU pledge closer cooperation on climate change

China and the European Union (EU) on Monday agreed to enhance cooperation in the uphill battle against global climate change.

The move came as a joint statement on climate change was issued after visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with EU leaders in Belgium.

According to the document, the two sides agreed to promote cooperation on climate change and developing a cost-effective, low-carbon economy while maintaining robust economic growth.

They also reach consensus to further enhance policy dialogue and practical cooperation on the two sides' transformation to a resource-efficient, green, low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society.

"We will further enhance existing bilateral cooperation on carbon markets, building upon and expanding on the ongoing EU-China emission trading capacity building project and work together in the years ahead on issues related to carbon emissions trading," the statement said.

Other agreements between China and the EU include establishing low-carbon partnership between Chinese and EU cities, promoting dialogue and cooperation on their domestic mitigation policies for climate change and enhancing collaboration on climate-related scientific research and technology innovation.

According to the statement, China and the EU are committed to working together to reach an "ambitious and legally binding agreement" at the Paris Climate Conference in 2015 which aims to enhance the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, based on equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

China has reiterated its support for France's efforts to host the major climate conference later this year. And the Chinese premier is scheduled to arrive in France late Monday to pay an official visit to the country.

China and the EU also stressed that it is crucial to step up actions on climate change from now till 2020, reiterating developed countries' commitment to jointly mobilize 100 billion U.S. dollars annually by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries, the statement said.

Leaders of both sides have also expressed their willingness to share experience and solutions to address environmental challenges.