Chinese FM Wang Yi meets top U.S. climate official in Beijing

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met on Friday in Beijing with John Podesta, the senior advisor to the president of the United States on international climate policy.

Wang Yi stated that China and the U.S. should be partners, not rivals; they should achieve mutual success, not engage in vicious competition, and be consistent in words and deeds.

Wang mentioned that Beijing is willing to work with Washington toward healthy, stable, and sustainable bilateral ties, based on the consensus reached at the San Francisco meeting between the leaders of the two countries last year.

Wang added that addressing climate change will benefit the present and future of mankind and the planet Earth, and China is committed to the path of green, low-carbon, and sustainable development.

Wang noted that dialogue and cooperation on climate change are not only integral parts of China-U.S. relations but also an important measure to implement the consensus reached at the San Francisco meeting.

The foreign minister stressed that both sides have achieved a series of results in practical climate cooperation this year. He added that China hopes the U.S. will maintain policy stability, respect China's legitimate concerns, avoid protectionism, and work with China to jointly address global challenges.

Podesta stated that cooperation on climate change represents an important consensus reached by the two heads of state, a key component of U.S.-China relations, and also bears on the process of global multilateral cooperation.

The collaboration between the United States and China will not only benefit the people of both countries but also bring more welfare to the world, according to Podesta.

Podesta confirmed that the U.S. is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China and to cooperate in a constructive manner.