China expects balanced climate agreement in Paris conference: vice premier

China would like to work with all parties to push for the signing of a new universal and well-balanced agreement at the Paris climate change conference scheduled from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said on Monday.

The agreement is expected to be vigorous and to become a milestone for global climate governance, Zhang said at an annual conference for the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development, a high-level non-profit international advisory body approved by the Chinese government.

China will actively promote international communication in the area and try hard to undertake its due international obligations, which are also part of the nation's efforts to promote a green development and improve the environment, according to Zhang, the council's chairman.

The environment is a key factor to assess the success of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, the vice premier said.

China will reinforce the "battles against pollution of air, water and soil," carrying out a series of protection and restoration projects concerning the rivers, mountains, forests and lakes, he said.

It will optimize the exploitation of land resources, forcefully promote green and sustainable development featuring safe, clean, low-carbon and highly-effective energy and improve laws on environmental protection, said Zhang. Endi