China, EU Leaders agree a joint statement on Paris climate deal

      Chinese and EU leaders are to agree a joint statement on the Paris climate agreement saying it is "an imperative more important than ever".

   A draft of the document, seen by the State media, stresses the "highest political commitment" to implement the deal.

It will be widely seen as a slight to the US, as President Trump deliberates on withdrawal from the accord.
    The joint statement will be published on Friday after a summit in Brussels.
For more than a year, Chinese and EU officials have been working behind the scenes to agree a joint statement on climate change and clean energy.
    According to reports, the document highlights the dangers posed by rising temperatures, as a national security issue and multiplying factor of social and political fragility, while pointing out that the transition to clean energy creates jobs and economic growth.