China’s president, Xi Jinping, is playing host to Barack Obama in Beijing today, following the conclusion of a wider gathering of leaders for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum. Mr Obama yesterday spoke of wanting to take the Sino-American relationship “to a new level”, and, as if to prove the point, the two leaders today signed an agreement on a joint plan to curb carbon emissions, containing China’s first commitment to stop emissions growing by 2030. The two sides also announced deals covering the trade in high-tech goods, long-term visas for tourists and business visitors and measures to help avoid accidental military confrontations. Despite the elaborate display of co-operation, rivalry has also surfaced, for example over APEC’s trade agenda, with neither having much to show for this week’s meeting. The group agreed only to “study” a region-wide free-trade area, which China backs, while talks on a smaller American-led trade pact are bogged down.