Premier highlights climate change among areas Beijing can work more closely with Washington

China is willing to cooperate with the United States to make joint contributions to deal with climate change and promote global stability and development, Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday.

The Chinese government is taking multiple measures to reduce the intensity of the country's energy consumption, develop clean energy and pursue sustainable development, Li told a visiting delegation led by US House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

China has set the goal of reaching the peak in its carbon dioxide emissions around 2030 and will try to achieve the goal as soon as possible, Li said.

"We believe that the common interests between our two countries far outweigh our differences," Li told Pelosi, adding that the steady growth of China-US relations is contributing to global peace, stability and development.

He noted the China-US relations have been moving forward over the past more than 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, which serves the interests of the two countries and the world. He added that China attaches great importance to the exchanges and cooperation of the legislative authorities between the two countries, which will boost mutual understanding.

Pelosi was quoted in a Chinese Foreign Ministry press statement as saying that the Untied States spoke highly of China's development, especially its achievements in reducing poverty, and it was willing to enhance communications with China in a friendly and candid manners to boost understanding, enlarge consensus, and promote friendly cooperation,

The visit by Pelosi and six other Democrats is aimed at boosting trade between the two countries and exchanging views on cybersecurity, climate change and other pressing issues.

The delegation traveled to the Tibet autonomous region before returning to Beijing, and Li asked that Pelosi what aftereffects the members of the delegation experienced at such a high altitude.

"We are used to working at a high altitude in the Congress of the United States. Nonetheless, I am happy that we went to Tibet before we came to Beijing." Pelosi replied.

On Thursday, Pelosi met with Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature. They discussed President Xi Jinping's state visit to the US in September, with Pelosi describing it as "successful in terms of outcomes".

Zhang called on the NPC and the US Congress to enhance communication and exchanges, deepen mutual understanding and with mutual respect so as to advance substantial cooperation and common ground.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 11/14/2015 page3)