The United States and China have announced a largely symbolic plan to implement new limits on carbon emissions, following a summit between Barack Obama and Xi Jinping.
US officials said the commitments by the world's two biggest carbon polluters came after months of backroom negotiations and would set the stage for a global climate control pact
However, experts say the limits imposed do not break significant new ground.
The two largest economies in the world have strong commercial ties, but have been at odds over everything from China's pursuit of territorial claims in east and southeast Asia to cyber spying, trade, and human rights.
Mr Obama, meeting Mr Xi in Beijing's Great Hall of the People for their first formal talks in more than a year, said he welcomes a China that is peaceful, prosperous and stable.
"In other words, a strong, cooperative relationship with China is at the heart of our pivot to Asia," Mr Obama said, shrugging off criticism that the US sought to counter China's rise in the region.
"If the US is going to continue to lead the world in addressing global challenges, then we have to have the second largest economy and the most populous nation on Earth as our partner," Mr Obama said, adding that he was encouraged by Mr Xi's "willingness to engage constructively".
Mr Xi called for expanding cooperation despite differences.
"The Pacific Ocean is broad enough to accommodate the development of both China and the US and our two countries should work together to contribute to security in Asia," he said.
"The two sides should respect the other's core interests and major concerns, and persist in managing differences in a constructive fashion."
A senior US official said the climate change agreement was largely complete ahead of the visit, but was finalised at a dinner between the leaders on Tuesday.
The official said the talks at the dinner were unscripted and candid, and that both men were comfortable in dealing with one another.
"This summit will be remembered for substance," the official said.
Despite US officials projecting low expectations for any major outcomes in the run-up to the trip, the two sides managed to roll out a series of modest to fairly significant achievements over the course of the visit, on visas, trade, climate, and military-to-military ties.
The outcomes of the visit were "more than expected", with Mr Xi keen to use the opportunity to show he wants improved ties despite Mr Obama being on his way out in two years, said Sun Zhe, head of the Center for US-China Relations at Beijing's elite Tsinghua University.
"The bilateral relationship is mature enough that we understand even if we don't have political trust for another five to 10 years, we need to live and work together. That's a new way of thinking by Chinese leaders," Mr Sun said.
