No time for delay on climate change, says Clinton

Clinton noted that China and the US are the world`s largest emitters of greenhouse gases and their cooperation at the UN climate conference in Mexico was critical to the conclusion of the Cancun agreement.

"Now, we must build on that progress by implementing the agreements on transparency, funding and clean energy technology," she said delivering the first Holbrooke Memorial lecture here yesterday.

"We would ask that China embrace internationally recognised standards and policies that ensure transparency and sustainability," Clinton said in her speech that focused on US-China relationship.

The Secretary of State said there is no time to delay and the US and China, working with other partners, including the EU, Japan and India, will set the pace and direction for the world to move rapidly towards a clean energy future.

"On international development, we could make a significant impact by aligning our investments and coordinating projects," she said.

"I often in my discussions with China`s leaders hear them say that their country speaks to the developing world because of their extraordinary progress. But their development practices in Africa and elsewhere have raised serious concerns.

"And we welcome the commitment to development, but we would like to work more closely together to have common standards and approaches," she noted.