BEIJING, CHINA – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy and China’s Energy Research Institute concluded a two-day meeting today, at which global energy security, the environment and climate change, and technology cooperation were discussed. The meetings were attended by U.S. and Chinese government officials and business executives.
At the conclusion of the meetings, a joint memorandum was signed by General James L. Jones, President and CEO of the Institute for 21st Century Energy, and Director General Han Wenke of the Chinese Energy Research Center. The two institutes agreed in the memorandum on initiatives to promote cooperation between the United States and China on energy and environmental projects.
In his opening remarks at the forum, General Jones said the United States and China, as the world’s largest consumers of energy and emitters of greenhouse gases, must assume leadership roles in tackling global energy and environmental challenges. "Although the United States and China are vastly different countries, energy and the environment can be—and should be—unifying factors as we seek ways to diversify energy sources, invest in clean energy technology, and achieve greater energy efficiency," Jones stated. He further called for U.S.-China cooperation in looking for ways to "diversify energy sources, promote clean energy technologies, and achieve greater energy efficiency."
The Institute for 21st Century Energy and Energy Research Institute also expressed strong support for the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) as a vehicle to promote long-term solutions to these challenges. "The upcoming SED meeting next month in Washington presents the best opportunity for both governments to advance a common agenda in the areas of energy and the environment," said Jones. "We strongly endorse the work under the SED process to institutionalize a framework for cooperation on these critical issues."