Visitors walk through the polluted air at Beijing's Tiananmen Square (File)

China says it is prepared to discuss moderate goals to combat climate change at next week's summit of leaders from the world's eight leading industrialized nations.

Su Wei, the head of China's office responsible for dealing with climate change, says Chinese President Hu Jintao is prepared to hold talks with the Group of Eight leaders on short and medium-term actions to reduce greenhouse gases. 

But the official says it is up to developed nations, such as the United States, to take the lead in cutting emissions and transferring technology to developing countries.

Climate change will be at the top of the agenda at the two-day G8 summit, which will convene Monday in the northern Japanese city of Hokkaido. 

The leaders from Japan, Britain, France, Italy, Russia, Canada, Germany and the United States will also discuss global economic problems, including soaring prices for oil and food. 

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.