Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) meets with US President Barack Obama in Copenhagen, Denmark, December 18, 2009. [Xinhua]

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with US President Barack Obama on Friday to discuss climate change.

Wen said climate change is a global challenge and an important field for cooperation between China and the United States.

The key to this issue is to stick to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities," said Wen.

The Chinese government has announced its goal of controlling greenhouse gas emissions, which demonstrates China's sincerity and determination to deal with climate change, and work with the international community on this issue, said the Chinese premier.

China has voluntarily launched mitigation measures and put the munder the supervision of domestic law and mass media, said Wen.

China is also willing to carry out international dialogue and cooperation on transparency of its mitigation measures, he said.

The Chinese side welcomes the promise of the United States to provide financial support to the least developed countries, said Wen, noting that the key is to take concrete action to help developing countries deal with climate change.

China is willing to strengthen communication and consultation with the US side to enhance mutual trust, and to push for a fair, reasonable and practical deal at the Copenhagen conference, thus delivering hope and confidence to the whole world, said Wen.

Obama told Wen that the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" should be followed in the global fight against climate change.

Obama said China's emission reduction target is ambitious and impressive and important for the entire world.

As a developing country, the largest challenge China is facing is to develop its economy and relieve poverty, he said. Therefore, China should not be required to adopt the same measures as the United States or other developed countries.

Obama said he appreciated China's willingness to have transparency on its voluntary emission reduction measures. The United States is ready to work with China for a successful Copenhagen climate change conference and to strengthen long-term cooperation in the fight against climate change.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2009)