China, US enhance energy cooperation

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This year's dialogue on energy policies between China and the United States has begun in the coastal city of Qingdao in eastern Shandong Province. Despite disagreement in some areas, both sides say there's greatest convergence on the need to work together on clean energy.

The fourth Sino-US Energy Policy Dialogue was co-organized by the National Development and Reform Commission and the US Department of Energy. The two sides have discussed issues including the latest energy policies, cooperation on clean energy, as well as renewable energy.

Both sides recognized the importance of cooperation on energy and climate change.

Zhang Guobao, Vice Minister of National Development & Reform Commission said "Energy cooperation is a pragmatic issue in Sino-US ties. Both China and the US have attached great importance to the issue. And we have shared positions and challenges. The topic has been mentioned over the past several big diplomatic events between the two sides."

David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary of US Department of Energy said "Clean energy is one of the most top challenges facing global today. Our work together with China on this topic has tremendous potential. Working together, we can accomplish more than working alone."

The two sides also agreed that both countries need to develop more technologies and equipment to tackle the challenges of climate changes.

Despite some conflicts and divergences, both sides spoke highly of potential in cooperation on clean energy.

Zhang Guobao said "Developing clean energy is an area the two sides have the most shared interests and the least divergences. But so far, the achievements we have made fall far short of our cooperative potential. Both China and the US should increase mutual trust to take each other as a partner instead of a rival. Only by doing so, shall we explore more chances for cooperation."

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the dialogue in 2004. The first forum was held in 2005 in the U.S.

This year's dialogue is based on consensus between Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, at the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh.