Ban praises China's role in climate accord

More than 165 countries were expected to sign Paris Agreement at United Nations on Friday

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with President Xi Jinping's special envoy on Thursday on the eve of the Paris Agreement signing ceremony and acknowledged China's contribution to the climate breakthrough.

"China played such an important role in making it possible," Ban said. "China has been pushing for energy conservation and emission reduction and promoting South-South cooperation. The country shows its leadership in tackling climate change."