US and China reach agreement on climate, cyber issues

Asia-Pacific, News, US September 26, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

WASHINGTON (United States) — US President Obama and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping reached a “common understanding” on Friday, vowing not to engage in economic cyber espionage, and to cooperate more on climate change.

The two leaders agreed on steps to move towards greenhouse gas emissions pledges made last year and outlined their common vision for a global climate change agreement.

US president Barack Obama and Chinese president Xi Jinping also agreed to work out disputes in the South China Sea region while indicating that differences remain in what has become a tense relationship between key global powers.

Speaking after White House talks during Mr Xi’s first US state visit, President Obama said: “We’ve agreed that neither the U.S. nor the Chinese government will conduct or knowingly support cyber related theft of intellectual property including trade secrets or other confidential business information for commercial advantage.”

Chinese president Xi, speaking through a translator, called his conversations with Obama “constructive and productive” and said the two leaders had agreed to “deepen practical cooperation” in multiple areas. He said coordination on the cyber issue would benefit both China and the U.S.

“Confrontation and friction are not the right choice for both sides,” said Xi, who is eager for investment from America’s tech sector and traveled to the nation’s capital from Washington state, where he met with top executives of technology companies. “China strongly opposes and combats the theft of commercial secrets and hacking attacks.”

Mr Xi also announced China would launch a national carbon cap-and-trade system in 2017 to help contain the country’s emissions, which will build on seven regional pilot markets already operational in the country.

Both leaders focused on the theme of friendship, but Obama also referenced the tensions. “There will be times when there are differences between our two countries. It’s inevitable,” Obama said, also gently urging China to accept diverse views and “uphold the rights” of all people.

“For the world’s two largest economies, energy consumers and carbon emitters to come together like this, there is no reason for other countries, whether developed or developing, not do so as well,” Mr Obama said.

Source: AFP/Reuters/Xinhua/USAToday/ABC