By Colleen Howe and David Stanway

BEIJING/SINGAPORE (Reuters) –

China hopes the United States will continue to cooperate with other countries on climate change, irrespective of the upcoming presidential election's outcome, a senior government official stated on Friday.

Cooperation between China and the United States, the world's top two emitters of climate-warming greenhouse gases, has facilitated significant climate agreements, including the 2015 Paris Agreement.

However, the re-election of former President Donald Trump could jeopardize bilateral climate engagement, as he may withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement again.

Xia Yingxian, director general of the climate office at China's environment ministry, expressed expectation that the U.S. would maintain stable climate policies and continue global collaboration during a briefing.

With COP29 climate talks set to commence in Baku, Azerbaijan in ten days, Xia shared hopes that the meeting would signal that "multilateralism cannot be reversed and international cooperation is indispensable."

As part of the Paris Agreement commitments, countries must submit new and more ambitious "nationally determined contributions" (NDCs) to the United Nations by February next year.

Washington has urged Beijing to commit to a 30% emissions cut by 2035, but experts warn U.S. influence in climate diplomacy could diminish significantly if Trump secures another term.

Xia stated that China will "firmly implement its NDCs" and mentioned that new targets for 2035 have already been proposed, though details were not disclosed.

While China aims to peak carbon dioxide emissions "before 2030" and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, researchers suggest it is capable of even greater ambition, with CO2 potentially already on the decline.

Despite China's "significant progress," rising energy demand and green trade barriers are hindering advancements, cautioned Wen Hua, vice-director of the environmental protection office at the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s planning agency.

Wen noted: "It has to be pointed out that the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals require arduous efforts."

Last month, a prominent Chinese state think tank recommended the government establish a target to reduce absolute carbon emissions by 2035.

The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) also suggested the government double total wind and solar capacity to 2,400 gigawatts (GW) by 2030.