China's official news agency Xinhua reported on Feb 14, that Chinese President Xi Jinping met the visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the Great Hall of the People on Feb 14 morning. He said: "China is firmly committed to building a new model of China-U.S. relationship together with the U.S. side, and will continue to enhance dialogue, boost mutual trust and cooperation and properly handle differences in the new year so as to forge ahead with the lasting and healthy development of the ties."

 

With regard to climate change, Xi stressed that China is attaching great importance to environment protection. "It is not at others' demand but our own will. We have already taken many measures and will do more in the future," Xi said. He called on the two countries, despite their different development stages, to make more cooperative achievements concerning the environment, especially in areas including green and low-carbon economy, energy saving and emission reduction.

 

Kerry said taking an updated approach to the relationship between great powers is "very important" for the United States as well. He called on the two sides to strengthen concrete cooperation, control disputes and give more impetus for the development of ties. With regard to climate change, Xi stressed that China is attaching great importance to environment protection.

 

The two sides also discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsular, with Xi setting forth China's stance.

Separately, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met John Kerry on Feb. 14 when he hoped that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to China will be a "good start" for relations between the two countries this year.