China hopes the United States will play its due role and shoulder its historical responsibility in responding to climate change, said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang in Beijing on Thursday.

"We welcome the recent positive changes of the U.S. government in its policy of climate change," Qin said, referring to U.S. President Barack Obama's remarks earlier this month at the meeting with leaders of emerging economies in Italy.

Obama said rich countries had a responsibility to take the lead in climate change, and developed countries agreed to increase resources and provide financial assistance to help developing countries in dealing with climate change.

Qin said the current China tour of U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu would help the United States and China better understand each other's stances on climate change.

"Our policy on the climate change issue is clear and constant," Qin said, calling for adherence to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol.

Qin urged developed economies to take a lead in cutting gas emissions after 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol will expire, and to offer funding and technologies to developing nations to deal with climate change.

Developing countries could also adopt a strategy of sustainable development, he said.

"The most important point is to insist on the principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities' established by the UNFCCC, since it is the guideline of international cooperation to cope with the challenge," Qin Gang said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2009)