Beijing ( CNN ) -- In a rare , joint news conference with the global news media inside the heart of Beijing , U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged cooperation on a range of common interests as they concluded an unusually colorful economic summit . Asked about anti-American rhetoric in Chinese state-run media which accused the United States of backing recent democracy protests in Hong Kong , Obama brushed off the criticism as `` part of being a public official . '' `` The United States had no involvement in fostering the protests that took place there , '' Obama insisted . Xi appeared to grimace when asked by New York Times reporter Mark Landler about international press access in China and whether he viewed Obama 's `` pivot '' to Asia as an authentic component of U.S. foreign policy . In a sign of clear annoyance with the setting , Xi initially did not answer the question and moved to hear instead from a Chinese reporter . In response , Xi appeared at times to read a prepared statement . US , China reach historic climate change deal . `` We do n't see eye to eye on every issue . Both sides should respect each other 's core interests , '' Xi said , adding the two nations should manage their differences respectfully . Xi , however , went on to take note of international criticism of China 's human rights record . `` China has made enormous progress in its human rights . That is a fact , '' Xi said , conceding that his nation 's work in that area is not `` mission accomplished . '' Before finishing his remarks , Xi responded to Landler 's question , accusing The New York Times of causing its own access problems in China . Obama added he had an opportunity to stress to Xi that the Asia `` pivot '' is not an attempt to challenge China 's leadership in the region . Xi and Obama fielded only two questions , one from Landler , the other from a reporter representing China 's state-controlled news media . Still , the news conference was the culmination of weeks of intense negotiations between high-level White House and Chinese officials who initially balked at the idea . U.S. officials were confident the press event marked one of the only known occasions in which a Chinese leader had taken an unscripted question from an American journalist in China . US-China relations : Can teens succeed where presidents have failed ? Following five hours of discussions that included a close circle of Chinese and U.S. officials Tuesday night , the two leaders also announced a new climate agreement that would cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by nearly one-third from 2005 levels by 2025 . China would peak its carbon emissions no later than 2030 and increase the use of nonfossil fuels to 20 % also by 2030 . `` This is an ambitious goal , but it is an achievable goal , '' Obama said about the climate deal . `` China is ready to work with the U.S. to make progress in a number of priority areas , '' Xi added . The Obama administration is confident it can avoid any potential stumbling blocks for the climate agreement next year when Republicans take control of the Senate . `` Congress may try to stop us , but we believe that with control of Congress changing hands we can proceed with the authority we already have , '' a senior administration official said on a conference call with reporters . Obama arrived in Beijing for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit still wounded politically by his party 's stinging defeat in last week 's congressional midterm elections . But the U.S. President managed to string together a slew of modest trade and diplomatic agreements with Beijing that will loosen visa restrictions for Chinese travelers and cut tariffs on high-tech American products . China maximized its position as APEC summit host , staging an Olympics-caliber dinner spectacular complete with fireworks . Obama drew howls in the Chinese media when he was seen chewing gum as he entered Monday night 's festivities . Russian President Vladimir Putin earned a few cringes of his own when he placed a shawl around the shoulders of China 's first lady in an apparent act of chivalry . She promptly removed the garment , creating such a stir the incident was removed from China 's state-run news outlets . Chinese censors attempted to further block coverage of the story by blacking out a portion of a CNN segment on the incident on the network 's `` Anderson Cooper 360 '' program . Obama is scheduled to attend a state banquet with his Chinese counterpart before departing for Myanmar for a gathering of leaders at this week 's Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit . The president 's visit is also designed to check on Myanmar 's efforts to expand democratic reforms in the Southeast Asian nation . 24 hours with President Obama in China .
U.S. , Republicans presidents conclude summit with joint news conference . Event only happened after intense negotiations between White House , Chinese officials . Presidents only fielded only two questions , from White House and Chinese state media . President Xi Jinping heads next to Myanmar for White House summit .