"Developing countries like China will also positively participate in the fight against climate change according to their own abilities and economic development," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

"China has done that, and in the future we will strengthen our efforts in this regard."

He was reacting to comments on Monday by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who called on China to do more to combat global warming.

China's rapid industrial growth has turned it into one of the biggest emitters of the greenhouse gases that are behind global warming.

But Beijing maintains that it should not be expected to take drastic action because it needs to focus on lifting more Chinese out of poverty through economic growth.

Ban said in Geneva that "China is one of the biggest emitters and should take part... in the international community's common efforts to address these climate change issues."

A Dutch government research body last month said China's emissions of carbon dioxide -- the main greenhouse gas -- surpassed those of the United States in 2006.

Qin said the developed world must take the lead in tackling climate change by, for example, providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries to help them making the transition to cleaner energy.

"On this point the developed countries, by helping developing countries, also help themselves and can bring about blue skies and clean water," he said.

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