China, France reaffirm support of Paris climate agreement, call it 'irreversible'
French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping after a joint news conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee/POOL
BEIJING (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday issued a joint statement reaffirming their strong support for the "irreversible" Paris Agreement on climate change, from which the U.S. announced its exit this week.
The two countries "reaffirm their strong support for the Paris Agreement, which they consider an irreversible process and a compass for strong action on the climate," the statement said.
The Trump administration has already filed paperwork to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on combating climate change.
French President Emmanuel Macron attends a joint news conference with China's President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee/POOL
The U.S. move is the first formal step in a one-year process to exit the global pact, part of a broader strategy by President Donald Trump to reduce regulation of American industry.
But scientists and many world governments are urging rapid action to combat the worst effects of climate change.
The vast majority of national commitments made in the 2015 Paris Agreement are not enough to prevent serious harm from global warming, scientists said in a new research report issued Tuesday.
China's President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee/POOL
China and France pledged at this year's G20 summit to "update" their contributions against climate change beyond their current ones to reflect "their highest possible ambition."
The 2015 Paris climate agreement encourages countries to make stronger pledges if they can.
Macron is traveling with a business delegation of 30 companies.
China's President Xi Jinping (2nd L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R) attend a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee/Pool
The French president is visiting China for the second time since he took office. During his last trip last year, he said Beijing's flagship "Belt and Road" project to develop global trade infrastructure should not be "one-way."
French President Emmanuel Macron attends a welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Florence Lo
(Reporting by Marine Pennetier; Editing by Tom Hogue and Gerry Doyle)
French President Emmanuel Macron attends a welcoming ceremony hosted by China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Jason LeeFrench President Emmanuel Macron attends a welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Florence LoFrench First Lady Brigitte Macron and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan attend a welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Florence LoFrench President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron attend a welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Florence LoFrench President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron attend a welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Florence LoChinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive to attend a welcoming ceremony for French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Jason LeeMembers of honour guards holding Chinese and French flags attend a welcoming ceremony for French President Emmanuel Macron at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Jason LeeChinese and French flags flutter near the portrait of late Chinese chairman Mao Zedong on Tiananmen Gate as France's President Emmanuel Macron visits China, in Beijing, China November 6, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee
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