BEIJING - Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli and US Secretary of State John Kerry have agreed the two countries must enhance cooperation in coping with climate change.

China would like to make the cooperation in climate change sector a highlight of the new-type China-US relations, Zhang told Kerry during their meeting Tuesday in Beijing.

China places great importance to coping with climate change and remains committed to a green, low-carbon and sustainable development pattern, Zhang said.

Enhancing collaboration in this area is in interests of both countries, and is conducive to a stable and healthy bilateral ties, as well as multilateral climate change talks, he said.

China is willing to carry on the dialogue on climate change policies and work with the US in a pragmatic way according to the common understanding reached between state leaders of the two countries, he said.

Kerry told Zhang that the US expects cooperation with China, which is to actually benefit ordinary people and contribute to global efforts to cope with climate change.

Kerry is in Beijing accompanying US President Barack Obama, who attended the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting Tuesday and will pay a state visit to China afterwards.