China and France say Paris climate pact should have five-year reviews

Franiois Hollande and Xi Jinping say that any climate change deal agreed in Paris must include future checks on whether countries are cutting emissions

French president Franiois Hollande claimed China and France had taken an "historic" step towards tackling climate change on Monday after the two countries agreed any deal reached in Paris next month should include checks on whether signatories are keeping their commitments to reduce emissions.

In a joint statement released weeks before the United Nations Climate Change Conference, China and France said such progress should be reviewed every five years in order to "reinforce mutual confidence and promote efficient implementation".