BEIJING — Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli met with Brian Deese, senior advisor to US President Barack Obama, in Beijing on Aug 24, agreeing to cooperate more closely on climate change.

Zhang said China-US cooperation on climate change had become a bright spot in bilateral relations.

President Xi Jinping and US President Obama issued three joint statements on climate change over the past few years, which have made a historic contribution to global efforts in coping with climate change, Zhang said.

China is ready to work with all parties, including the United States, to push forward a fair, reasonable, cooperative and win-win system of global climate change governance in line with the principles of equity, “common but differentiated responsibilities” and respective capabilities, he said.

Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli (R) meets with Brian Deese, senior advisor to US President Barack Obama, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug 24, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

This is a crucial year for nations to implement the Paris Agreement, he said, calling on China and the United States to continue their dialogue and cooperation and jointly push for the earliest adoption and implementation of the agreement.

He called for continuous efforts from the two sides to make positive contributions to the building of a new type of relationship between major countries and advance a multilateral process to cope with climate change.

Deese lauded the close and effective climate change cooperation between China and the United States.

The United States is committed to implementing the three joint statements on climate change and promoting the comprehensive implementation of the Paris Agreement, he said.

On Aug 24, Zhang also met with Tigran Sargsyan, chairman of the board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) in Beijing.

The two sides exchanged views on strengthening the alignment of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the construction of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).