G20 sherpa meeting lays solid ground for summit: China

BEIJING - The second G20 Sherpa Meeting, with substantive discussions on major issues, has laid solid groundwork for the G20 summit that China will host in September, a spokesperson said on Monday.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang was speaking at a news briefing when asked to comment on the meeting in Guangzhou last week.

The sherpas -- officials who negotiate and prepare for an international summit before leaders take part in -- had substantive discussions on the agenda for the Hangzhou summit, Lu said, including a global agenda for sustainable development, guidelines for global investment and the international hunt for fugitives and illegal assets.

The spokesman underscored a presidency statement on climate change at the G20 Sherpa Meeting, according to which G20 members are expected to sign the Paris Agreement beginning on April 22 or after.

It sent a strong signal that G20 members will address the climate change with united actions, Lu said, adding that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the statement.

China will work to hold an open, transparent and inclusive summit that will see G20 members focus on major economic and financial problems and contribute to global growth and economic governance, Lu said.