China on Thursday said developed countries should take the lead in quantitative and massive emissions reduction, and provide support for developing countries in tackling climate change.

On this precondition, developing countries would take appropriate measures to mitigate their own emissions, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu at a regular press conference when asked to comment on US climate envoy Todd Stern's remarks on Wednesday.

Stern Wednesday told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the United States would not agree to targets cutting greenhouse gas emissions unless developing countries, particularly China, made similar moves.

Ma said China's viewpoint was the consensus reached by the international community, and the core content of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

He said it was obvious to all that China had made great contributions to tackling with climate change.

President Hu Jintao announced important steps to further combat climate change at the UN climate change summit in September.

China would endeavor to cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by a "notable margin" by 2020 from the 2005 level, and increase forest coverage by 40 million hectares, Hu said in his address.

China had taken the climate change seriously, set clear goals and acted vigorously, Ma said.

He said there were huge differences in terms of economic development and economic levels between developed and developing countries, and also between China and the United States.

Ma said their different obligations were in line with the Bali roadmap and basic principles of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, particularly the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities."

(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2009)