Update | China and US reach historic deal on climate change
Xi and Obama also reach agreement on trade, defence and security, but pledges on the environment likely to have the most profound effect
President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Barack Obama yesterday unveiled a flurry of agreements on climate change, trade, defence and international security as the two leaders sought to set aside their differences and redefine the relationship through cooperation.
Among the agreements announced in Beijing was a ground-breaking commitment for both countries to cut greenhouse emissions. It was hailed by climate change experts and officials as a "historic pact", although some conservative American politicians branded it as unrealistic and a jobs-killer.
The agreement between the world's two major energy consumers will help galvanise support for upcoming global talks on climate change. UN climate chief Christiana Figueres said the deal was a landmark and would give "a significant boost" to efforts to reach a global accord.
China agreed that its carbon dioxide emissions would peak by around 2030 and non-fossil fuels would generate 20 per cent of its energy by the same deadline. Renewable energy now accounts for less than 10 per cent of China's total energy production.
Washington agreed to cut net greenhouse gas emissions to 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2025.
The deal was struck after intensive talks between Xi and Obama, starting with a private banquet and an evening stroll in the exclusive Zhongnanhai compound on Tuesday.
