China, Japan agree to enhance dialogue on climate change, energy-saving

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan (7th L, front) and Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada (6th L, front) pose for a group photo with attendees during the third China-Japan high-level economic dialogue in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 28, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

China and Japan pledged on Saturday to enhance dialogue and exchanges on climate change, energy conservation and environmental protection.

The two countries, meeting in Beijing, agreed to make a combined effort to implement the Joint Statement on Climate Change between China and Japan, said Zhang Ping, chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), during the third China-Japan high-level economic dialogue.

The two sides will conduct pragmatic cooperation in the areas of clean development mechanisms, energy-savings, energy efficiency improvement, new energy, renewable energy, clean coal technology, methane recovery and utilization, carbon capture and storage, adaptation to climate change and technology development and transfer, he said.

On international climate change negotiations, he said the two sides are ready to fulfill their responsibilities and try their best to cope with climate change in line with the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities ".

He said the Cancun climate summit should continue to adhere to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and the Bali Road Map, as well as the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities ".

The negotiation process should be in line with the principle of being open and maintaining transparency, broad participation, being party-driven and achieving consensus, he added.

China will host UN climate change talks in Tianjin city this October, which reflects the country's constructive attitude on promoting the UN climate negotiation process, he said.

China is willing to work with the other sides, including Japan, to contribute to the Cancun conference slated for the end of this year, Zhang said.

During the meeting, China and Japan also agreed to hold the fifth China-Japan Energy-saving and Environment Protection Forum in Tokyo this October.

Zhang said the two nations had made substantial achievements in energy-saving and environmental protection.

China's National Development and Reform Commission and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have signed many cooperative documents on energy-saving and environmental protection, he said.

The two countries have held four energy-saving and environmental protection forums and inked 76 agreements involving cooperation in this area.

Both governments support enterprises of the two countries to cooperate on commercial demonstration projects, he said, adding China had sent 300 management personnel to Japan to study energy conservation policies and technology.

During the dialogue, the two sides also pledged to cooperate on developing green economies and low-carbon technologies, enhance cooperation between energy-saving centers of both countries and promote commercial demonstration projects on energy-saving and environmental protection.

Source: Xinhua