China had said in April that it would ratify the Paris Agreement, negotiated by representatives of 195 nations in Paris past year, before its hosting of the G20.
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The proposal adopted by China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee says the agreement will help China “play a bigger role in global climate governance”, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Saturday.
China has ratified the global agreement on tackling climate change, reached previous year in Paris.
The Paris deal will come into force 30 days after at least 55 countries, accounting for 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, have ratified it.
While tensions have risen between Beijing and Washington during President Barack Obama’s term over issues including cyber-hacking, the South China Sea and the planned deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system in South Korea, combating climate change is one area where both countries have stressed they can work together. The White House announced Obama would speak about climate change shortly after landing in the eastern city.
The global economic recovery remained weak and G20 countries should take steps to revive trade and investment, Xi said, pointing to challenges including the refugee crisis, climate change and terrorism.
“We now need the other countries to join in and ratify as soon as possible, including the UK”.
The formal U.S. -Chinese announcement means the accord could enter force by the end of the year, a faster than anticipated timeline.
“In regard to capacity cuts, China’s measure is the strongest and most practical, and we will fulfill our promises”, Xi said.
Xi presented documents formally entering China into the agreement Saturday, along with U.S. President Barack Obama. The U.S. has expressed increased exasperation with China’s growing assertiveness in key waterways in the region.
Aiming to build on previous cooperation, the USA and China have also been discussing a global agreement on aviation emissions, though there’s some disagreement about what obligations developing countries should face in the first years.
In its Paris commitment, the U.S. promised to cut its own emissions 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2025.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with his Argentine counterpart Mauricio Macri ahead of the G20 Summit.
The United States has been pressuring China to step up its efforts to reduce excess industrial capacity.
It will be the first official meeting between the two leaders since May took office in July after David Cameron quit following the British vote to leave the European Union.
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US President Barack Obama arrived in China on Saturday for his final visit as president, intent on cementing the “pivot” to Asia undertaken during his administration. Obama plans a major speech on his Asia policy and a meeting with the new Phillipine leader while in Laos.
