UNITED NATIONS - Chinese and US leaders on Sept 23 vowed to promote bilateral cooperation in global response to climate change.

The pledge was made when Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli, who was here to attend the UN climate summit as President Xi Jinping’s special envoy, met with US President Barack Obama.

Zhang said that China, the largest developing country, and the United States, the largest developed country, have important duties in protecting the environment despite their differences in historical responsibility, development stage, national condition and capability.

The two countries should work together to promote multilateral efforts to deal with climate change, he noted.

Zhang Gaoli (4th L), vice-premier and President Xi Jinping’s special envoy, meets with US President Barack Obama (3rd R) on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Summit in New York, Sept 23, 2014.[Photo/Xinhua]

China is willing to work with the United States to make cooperation in climate change a highlight in their bid to build a new model of major-country relations, Zhang said.

The vice-premier hoped for tangible results in seven priority areas -- reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from cars, smart power grids, carbon capture and storage, emissions data collection and management, energy efficiency in construction and industrial production, industrial furnaces and forestry.

He also urged cooperation in shale gas, nuclear energy, renewable energy, and low-carbon technologies.

Zhang Gaoli (2nd L), vice-premier and President Xi Jinping’s special envoy, meets with US President Barack Obama (2nd R) on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Summit in New York, the United States, Sept 23, 2014.[Photo/Xinhua]

Zhang said the two nations should contribute to the world’s response to climate change by upholding the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility,” strengthening communication and coordination through established bilateral platforms, and respecting multilateral mechanisms.

Xi is looking forward to Obama’s attendance at the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Informal Meeting in Beijing in November, Zhang said.

The two sides shall actively implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state on forging a new model of major-country relations and advancing the Sino-US ties continuously and steadily, Zhang added.

For his part, Obama said he was looking forward to attending the APEC meeting and visiting China, which shares with his country the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century.

The United States and China, the two biggest economies and carbon emitters in the world, shoulder special responsibilities in global response to climate change, Obama said.

The United States attaches great importance to strengthening collaboration with China in this aspect, Obama said, adding that he wished to see more developments in all sides.

Zhang and Obama also exchanged views on hot international issues such as the Ebola epidemic.