VICE Premier Wang Qishan has called for closer ties between China and the United States in energy and environmental protection as he flew to the US for a new round of economic talks.
Wang, in an opinion piece published in the Financial Times, said stronger cooperation will enable China to better respond to energy and environmental issues and also bring about tremendous business opportunities and handsome returns for American investors.
"The two countries should, on the basis of the principles of mutual complementarity and win-win progress, focus their cooperation on energy, pollution reduction and protection of natural resources," Wang wrote.
Wang is due to attend the fourth round of China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, which he expects will promote long-term cooperation in energy, environment and related issues between the two countries.
He said there was broad scope for cooperation given China's status as the world's largest developing country at a stage of fast economic growth and the US's advanced technologies and experience in enhancing energy efficiency, developing clean energy, exploring and developing oil and gas resources, and preserving the environment. Wang said China and the US should build joint laboratories or research facilities for energy and environmental protection technologies, focusing on the efficient use of fossil fuels, energy conservation, environmental protection and renewable energy.
The two should also jointly formulate and implement fiscal, taxation, financial and trade policies to encourage innovation and cooperation in energy-conserving and environment-friendly technologies.
Wang said that the existing multilateral and bilateral dialogue mechanisms and exchange platforms should be used to strengthen consultation and coordination, conduct joint training and academic exchanges of technical personnel, promote exchanges among non-governmental organizations and build a database for energy and environmental information sharing for the mutual benefit of both countries.