Beijing - China on Thursday cautioned against "empty talk" on long-term climate goals at next week's G8 summit of the world's seven leading industrial nations and Russia.

It was up to the industrial powers to play a leading role in efforts to reduce greenhouse gases that are causing global warming, a senior official said.

Chinese party leader and President Hu Jintao is representing the emerging economies at the July 7-9 gathering on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido.

He will be seeking concrete medium and short-term steps instead of "idealistic long-term goals."

"China has a very open attitude to any issues about responding to climate change," said Su Wei, director of the climate section of the powerful National Development and Reform Commission.

"We should focus on real, practical short-term and medium-term action ... Empty talk on long-term goals will not have any effect to address climate change," he said.

Su made clear that China would concentrate on its own national programme to reduce any consumption and emissions and would not commit itself to binding global measures.

Industrial nations had a historical responsibility because they were the countries with the highest pro-capita rate of greenhouse gas emissions, he said.

Urging the major industrial powers to take on a leadership role in climate improvement, he said "the developing countries are innocent and the biggest victims of climate change."

In addition global warming, surging oil prices and and the worldwide food crisis are expected to be the major topics of the summit in the resort of Toyako. (dpa)