Seven eco agreements signed

By Diao ying and Zhang Qi (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-05 07:44

China and the US Thursday signed seven ecological agreements under the 10-Year Cooperation Framework to explore concrete policies on energy security and protecting the environment.

Among the agreements signed were "eco-partnerships" between Energy Future Holding Corp of the US and China Huaddian Corporation, and between Kansas-based Wichita and Jiangsu-based Wuxi.

Speaking at the China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED). Vice-Premier Wang Qishan said: "The innovative ecological agreement is an important result of the 10-year framework."

The seven agreements are voluntary cooperative partnerships between the US and Chinese entities, which include local, state or provincial government partnerships, and partnerships between business enterprises, universities, as well as non-profit organizations.

"China and the US will continue to focus on developing these shared objectives in five areas, but will also enhance cooperation on energy efficiency as the sixth area," said Zhang Xiaoqiang, deputy-director of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Strengthening the US-China cooperation on energy and the environment is not only a bright spot in the SED, but will also help tackle the global financial crisis, he said.

"China is in the process of accelerating industrialization and urbanization. But we are also making huge efforts to save energy and reduce emission to build a sustainable society," the vice-premier said.

"The US leads the world in energy efficiency and environmental protection, so strengthening technological cooperation serves the fundamental interests of both countries," he said.

Before leaving for Beijing for the fifth SED, US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson had said in Washington that building cooperation and trust between the two countries would help prevent competition over scarce energy resources.

US president-elect Barack Obama's energy strategy is likely to be based on a commitment to increase renewable energy to 25 percent of the country's supply by 2025.