The Financing Agreement for the China-EU Institute of Clean and Renewable Energy was signed in Beijing On March 30. It was signed by Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng and Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy.

The institute will provide education for postgraduate students and a research platform for doctorate students. It also includes an on-job training center. The school is expected to enroll at least 100 students a year.

This major initiative, launched by the European Commission and the Chinese Government, aims at increasing capacity for achieving China's energy policies, notably the ones focusing on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Moreover, it aims at creating durable links between specialized Chinese and European clean and renewable energy professionals, researchers and academics.

It is anticipated that the project will also provide improved access for women, minority groups and those with limited economic means, to specialized education and professional training.

With a contribution of €10 million, the Commission together with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Commerce will establish the Institute, which will be run as a non-profit partnership between a group of leading European academic institutions and one or more leading Chinese academic institutions.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce over the past 20 years China and the EU have conducted more than 70 development cooperation projects, with a total investment of 700 million euros. Of them 52 have been completed, which valued 420 million euros and 21 are under way, which will amount to 280 million euros.

The development cooperation framework mainly covers the fields of agriculture, environmental protection, energy, education, trade, justice and governance.

By People's Daily Online