Arriving in China, Obama promotes climate legacy

"I believe that history will judge today's efforts as pivotal", Obama said, calling the accord the "single best chance" the world has to "deal with a problem that could end up transforming the planet".

U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered documents to U.N. Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon needed to officially ratify the agreement, providing a significant step toward bringing the agreement into action. The papers certified the USA and China have taken the necessary steps to join the Paris accord that set nation-by-nation targets for cutting carbon emissions.

Obama credited US and China leadership as a major reason for the agreement in Paris, and said he plans to continue deepening the USA relationship with China even after he leaves office.

China should serve as a bridge between the developing countries and the G20, and help create more opportunities for more countries, thus injecting new life into the sluggish world economy, he added.

"We should keep on going along the path of globalization", Ma said Friday in Hangzhou, China.

For the agreement to take effect, at least 55 countries must formally join.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his USA counterpart Barack Obama are expected to meet in China ahead of the start of the G20 Summit.

The White House has attributed the accelerated pace to the unlikely partnership between Washington and Beijing on the issue.

Entrance by the US and China will bring the count to 40 percent of emissions.

"There's going to be a very sharp message on the concerns about maritime security [in the South China Sea] about cybersecurity, about trade and investment challenges in the relationship which are heating up as well", says Michael Goodman, senior adviser for Asian economics at CSIS and a former director for global economics on the National Security Council.

Titanfall 2 Trailer Drops
Ronin: Ronin loves getting up close with its samurai vibe and quick-to-get-in-and-out tactics. The titan to look forward to from the latest installment of " Titanfall " is Legion .

Meanwhile, China's ties with Japan remain tense over China's claim to uninhabited East China Sea islands controlled by Tokyo, and its previously warm relations with South Korea have chilled in the wake of Seoul's decision to deploy a USA missile defense system aimed at containing the threat from North Korea.

The U.S. and China are poised to lead the way in the G20 (on climate action) so other countries will follow. The U.S. doesn't take positions in the various disputes between China and its Asian neighbors, but is concerned about freedom of navigation and wants conflicts resolved peacefully and lawfully.

Chinese travel agency Ctrip said that as a result, one-third of the city's population has left ahead of the meeting of world leaders.

But Obama said they also would have a candid discussion about differences, including on human rights, cybersecurity and maritime issues.

Xi said that China and Argentina, both major emerging-market economies and mutual comprehensive strategic partners, should strengthen exchanges and cooperation in tackling challenges and seeking common development.

For the White House, Obama's last Asia tour will underscore what it sees as the president's achievement: a "rebalancing" of USA military assets and economic focus to Asia that allows for management of rising competition from an expanding China.

Obama is expected to complete one more foreign swing as president, traveling to Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November and likely making additional stops in a presidential farewell tour. A young girl presented Obama with flowers and he shook hands with officials before entering his motorcade.

But the welcome didn't go smoothly.

But UK officials insisted the country's status in the world would not be affected by Hinkley Point, whatever Mrs May decides to do.