USA and China promise new action on climate change

It's a bit like watching two boxers slug it out for the title of Economic Super Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Barack Obama and Xi Jinping, presidents of the US and China respectively, have been meeting in Beijing for talks as both countries vie for dominance of the global economy.

Following the meeting - both leaders stood shoulder to shoulder in the Great Hall of The People to proclaim a new deal to cut carbon emissions.

The US is committing to deeper greenhouse gas cuts by 2025. China, meanwhile, has promised to start reducing its carbon emissions by 2030 at the latest. And to get 20 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by the same time.

So - how significant is this deal?

We explore the issues with Tao Wang, a climate expert in Beijing, and economist Irwin Stelzer from the Hudson Institute in Washington.