Full coverage: Paris Climate Agreement

China is a strong advocate of the Paris Climate Change agreement and the country has been working hard to cut carbon emissions.

China's signature codifies the promises made in Paris last year and is also in line with the country's 13th five year plan -- released last month.

Over the next five years, China aims to grow its economy by more than 6.5% each year. Much of the growth is expected to come from the services sector as well as more efficient and innovative manufacturing.

China also plans to implement an emissions trading system in 2017, covering sectors such as power, iron, steel and chemicals.

Experts say the economic and energy transitions that China is undertaking, will likely foster closer U.S.- China ties.

The efforts China has been making to combat climate change are critically important. But ultimately stopping climate change rests on a global acknowledgment that adherence to the Paris agreement is required of all signatories.