John Kerry seeks Sino-US cooperation to tackle global problems

US Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday his country and China should work together to confront the threat of climate change and other challenges, emphasising the two nations' potential for cooperation over competition.

Describing the Sino-US relationship as "the most consequential in the world", Kerry said at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies that it was essential the countries collaborate while managing differences on issues.

"As two of the world's major powers and largest economies, we have a profound opportunity to set a constructive course on any number of issues, from climate change to global trade, and obviously we have a fundamental interest in doing so," he said.

Kerry is due in Beijing to set the stage for a visit by President Barack Obama for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Obama will hold talks with President Xi Jinping .

Kerry cited the threat of Ebola as one area where the two nations can cooperate, and the importance of dealing with climate change as another. He acknowledged the countries differed over issues such as personal freedom, cybersecurity and the theft of US companies' intellectual property, and China's push to claim territory in the South China Sea.

"We are clear-eyed about the fact that the United States and China are markedly different countries," Kerry said.