China will soon announce the actions it will take after 2020 to combat climate change, Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli said at a United Nations climate change summit on Tuesday in New York.

Experts said the announcement signals the country's willingness to take concrete steps to address global warming.

"It's the first time that China has given a clear message to the international community about its post-2020 goals and a timeframe for a peak in emissions," said Zou Ji, a professor at the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation.