Australia and China have boosted efforts to tackle climate change through high level discussions in Beijing today.

Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, attended the second Australia - China Ministerial Dialogue on climate change with Chinese National Development and Reform Commission Vice Chairman Xie Zhenhua.

Progress towards a global agreement in Copenhagen in December was the key issue discussed during the Dialogue. Another outcome of the meeting was to agree to a program of workshops and seminars to promote dialogue between Australian and Chinese experts and scientists.

Minister Wong and Vice Chairman Xie agreed to renew the Australia - China Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change Activities which focuses on:

• enhancing scientific understanding of climate change
• building capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change
• developing opportunities in climate change technology, products and expertise.

Minister Wong and Vice Chairman Xie also signed a specific agreement for enhancing cooperation between the Department of Climate Change and China’s National Development and Reform Commission to help implement the Australia-China MOU.

 “With less than 55 days to go before the climate change conference in Copenhagen, it is vital that all countries do as much as possible,” Senator Wong said.

 “Our discussions with the Chinese Government have been very positive. We welcome China's open and constructive approach to the Dialogue.

“We have discussed actions that we can take to assist global efforts to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions at 450 parts per million carbon dioxide equivalent.

"We need all major economies, whether developed or developing, to play an important part in tackling climate change.’’