China, U.S. agree to further cooperate on energy, environment

Source: Xinhua | 12-05-2008 08:25

BEIJING, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese official said here on Thursday that China and the United States have reached consensus in five major areas to step up energy and environmental protection cooperation during the on-going fifth round of the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED).

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan (front R) shakes hands  with U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson at a signing  ceremony on energy and environmental protection cooperation  during the fifth China-U.S. Strategic Economic Dialogue in  Beijing, China, Dec. 4, 2008.(Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said the five areas are as follows.

First, the SED completed preparations to start cooperation in five areas: electricity, clean water, clean transportation, clean air and the conservation of forest and wetland ecosystems, mapping out plans and roadmaps.

China and the United States signed a 10-year energy and environmental protection cooperation framework in June during the fourth SED held in Washington, with these five areas as initial goals.

Second, both sides agreed that energy efficiency would be the sixth initial goal.