China, U.S. hail progress in climate talks

Beijing/Washington: China and U.S. held successful climate talks, reaching common ground on multiple issues. Both sides agreed to work together to ensure success of COP28 and improve bilateral relations. U.S. envoy Kerry to visit Singapore to advance climate objectives.

China hailed climate talks with the United States as a success on November 9, with the U.S. climate envoy saying the two powers had reached common ground on a number of issues.

The talks in California between top officials come ahead of a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping next week, where the leaders are seeking to improve ties after years of frosty relations.

Beijing's Ministry of Ecology and Environment said that the meetings between U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua "ended successfully" on Wednesday.

The two sides "engaged in a comprehensive, in-depth exchange of views", it said, adding they "achieved positive results on developing bilateral climate change cooperation and action".

Kerry said that he had held "comprehensive and constructive discussions with the PRC over five days", referring to China by its official name.

"We reached common ground on a number of issues that we expect will prove productive in these critical weeks ahead of COP28," he said in a statement.

Countries will gather in the United Arab Emirates at the end of the month for the COP28 summit aimed at building consensus for limiting global warming.