China and Japan are willing to push forward international climate change talks, based on respective responsibilities and capabilities of both countries, a senior Chinese official said at the sideline of the third China-Japan high-level economic dialogue.

Zhang Ping, minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, told China Daily that he believed the forthcoming talks of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in Cancun, Mexico in November and December should stick to the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. The talks also need to be open and transparent, led by participating countries and achieved through consultation and consensus.

He said China and Japan regard energy-saving and environmental protection as very important areas and a growth engine of economic cooperation between both countries.

Vice-Premier Wang Qishan said on Saturday at the opening of the dialogue that bilateral trade between China and Japan has recovered and exceeded the level before the financial crisis.

The dialogue was chaired by Wang and Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada.

The dialogue, launched by Premier Wen Jiabao and then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, first convened in 2007 in Beijing and the second meeting was held in 2009 in Tokyo.

The two countries singed some agreements on energy-saving and environmental protection.

Both sides also agreed to hold the fifth China-Japan forum on energy-saving and environmental protection in late October in Tokyo to discuss to promote green economy and cooperation on low-carbon technologies, Zhang said.

He said both countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation of energy-conservation centers and promote pilot programs.