U.S. officials praise China emissions efforts

By Doug Palmer

BEIJING (Reuters) - China is taking "unprecedented action" to address global warming and reduce its energy intensity, increasing chances for a new climate change agreement later this year, top U.S. officials said on Thursday.

China recently passed the United States as the biggest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions and together the two countries account for 42 percent of the world's emissions.

Chinese leaders agreed unanimously that global warming was "a very serious problem," Energy Secretary Steven Chu told reporters after meeting Chinese officials, including Premier Wen Jiabao.

"I am greatly encouraged by what I saw on this trip," he said.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke also gave a strong endorsement of China's seriousness in reducing greenhouse gases.

"The Chinese are taking unprecedented action ," Locke said. "They are a model for developing countries around the world."

Locke and Chu, both Chinese-Americans, were in Beijing for talks aimed at boosting cooperation between the two countries in fighting global warming.

Their trip came as Congress considers legislation to curb emissions in the United States.