China and the United States share a common responsibility in addressing climate change and should work together to set an example for other global efforts, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Wednesday.  

In response to U.S. climate envoy John Kerry's comment on Monday that the U.S. should cooperate with China on reducing carbon emissions, Zhao said China and the United States, as the world's largest developing country and the largest developed country, are supposed to improve communication and coordination on the issue.  

He called on the U.S. side to create favorable conditions for coordination and cooperation with China in important fields, saying any Sino-U.S. cooperation in specific areas is closely linked with the overall picture of the bilateral relations.  

"The U.S. side cannot arbitrarily interfere in China's internal affairs and undermine China's interests on the one hand and demand China's understanding of and support for it in bilateral and global affairs on the other hand," said Zhao.  

China's national carbon market started online trading last week, a significant step to help the country reduce its carbon footprint and meet emission targets.  

The spokesperson reiterated that China will make efforts to peak its emissions by 2030 and realize carbon neutrality by 2060.  

"On addressing climate change and delivering emission cuts, the Chinese side hopes the U.S. side can also match its actions with its words, take real responsibilities and make its due contributions," he said.  

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(Cover: A file photo of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian. /CFP)