BEIJING (AP) - China welcomed an international agreement to adopt a blueprint for fighting climate change by 2009 Tuesday, but reiterated its stance that developed countries should take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the deal reached Saturday in Bali, Indonesia, delegates from nearly 190 nations must fix goals for industrialized nations to cut their greenhouse gas emissions while helping developing countries cut their own emissions and adapt to rising temperatures..

"China congratulates the successful meeting and welcomes the roadmap. We'll continue to participate in future negotiations and play our constructive role in this regard," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a regular news briefing.

With its low-efficiency, high emissions economy, Beijing is about to overtake the United States as the world's top greenhouse-gas producer - some studies say it has already. But officials have said that as a developing country, China's first responsibility is to develop its economy and alleviate poverty.

"We hope developed countries, according to the roadmap, can take the lead in reducing greenhouse gases after 2012 and provide assistance and support to developing countries," Qin said.

Those gathering on the resort island of Bali were charged with launching negotiations to replace the Kyoto Protocol on emission reductions, which expires in 2012.

The new deal does not commit countries to specific actions against global warming. Despite an aggressive EU-led campaign to include specific emissions reduction targets for industrial nations - by 25 to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 - the final road map has none.