US-China clash at climate talks

US and Chinese delegates at a climate conference have accused each other of blocking progress on reaching a new global treaty aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

The world's two biggest greenhouse gas emitters reportedly made "limited progress" throughout the six-day talks, which ended on Saturday, in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin.

Jonathan Pershing, the US climate envoy, said the biggest problem remained the refusal by China and other developing nations to commit to the UN process of curbing their emissions.

"We have made some very modest progress. But unfortunately it's been quite limited," Pershing said.

'Summit in jeopardy"

He said the UN's annual climate summit, which is set to take place in less than two months in Cancun, Mexico, was in jeopardy mainly because of China.

"These elements are at the heart of the deal. And the lack of progress on these gives us concern about the prospects for Cancun," he said.

China, on the other hand, insisted all week that the United States and other wealthy nations should do much more to curb their emissions, highlighting their historic responsibility for the problem.

Su Wei, China's chief climate envoy, said the US was throwing up smokescreens to hide its own inaction.

"It is not fair to criticise if you are not doing anything," he said.