China, U.S. to strengthen ties on clean energy
Shanghai. November 18. INTERFAX-CHINA - China and the United States aim to strengthen cooperation on clean energy development, according to a joint statement issued after U.S. President Barack Obama's state visit to Beijing on Nov. 17.
"Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the world in the modern era and adjusting energy consumption to emit less carbon is essential for the sustainable economic development of all countries," the statement noted.
The statement also noted that China and United States respect the right of developing countries to decide how best to balance the demands of curbing global warming with their own economic growth.
The two countries are committed to working together toward a successful outcome at the Copenhagen summit of climate change in December, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing that pledged to inject no less than $150 million over the next five years into the U.S.-China Research Center on Clean Energy, which was founded in mid-July. China and the U.S will each cover half of the center's expenses.
The center will establish one headquarters in China and another in the United States and will focus on research for energy conservation in buildings, clean coal and renewable energy vehicles.
-WV