In a press conference in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, US President Barack Obama said he and his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, had "agreed to work toward a successful outcome" at the UN-backed climate change talks in Copenhagen next month.

"Our aim there is... not a partial accord or a political declaration, but rather an accord that covers all the issues in the negotiations and one that has immediate operational effect," the US leader said.

The comments come days after leaders at the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation summit conceded the December climate meeting may not produce a legally binding deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

Developed and developing nations have been unable to agree on which of the two groups should cut emissions and by how much. Developing nations have also called for advanced economies to help them pay for climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.

The meeting in Copenhagen had long been considered a last chance for leaders to agree on a globally endorsed framework to curb severe climate change.

But Obama seemed to indicate a deal may still be on the cards.

"We agreed that each of us would take significant mitigation actions and stand behind these commitments," Obama said as Hu looked on.

"As the two largest consumers and producers of energy, there can be no solution to this challenge without the efforts of both China and the United States," he added.

Hu meanwhile reiterated Beijing's insistence that developed and developing nations should bear different responsibilities in addressing climate change.

The goodwill talks also saw the US and Chinese leaders discuss North Korea and prickly trade ties.

China has been incensed in recent months at US tariffs on some Chinese products, accusing Washington of protectionism, while the US has been attempting to apply pressure on Beijing over calls for a reevaluation of the Chinese currency, the yuan.

Both leaders agreed to "oppose and reject" all forms of protectionism.

dfm/Reuters/AFP
Editor: Michael Lawton