Beijing, 16 December: Zeng Peiyan, vice-premier of the State Council, met with visiting US Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and his entourage on 16 December in Beijing.

Zeng Peiyan said: China and the United States have broad common interests and both countries have achieved positive progress in their constructive cooperative ties over recent years. At present, the Taiwan issue is the biggest factor affecting the steady development of Sino-US ties. We hope that the US side will earnestly abide by the relevant commitments and create an environment conducive for bilateral economic cooperation.

Zeng Peiyan said: China adheres to placing equal emphasis on energy development and conservation. It attaches great importance to conservation and mainly bases itself upon satisfying the domestic demand for energy growth arising from economic development. By transforming the modes of economic growth, China is working hard on lowering the level of energy consumption, promoting the clean utilization of coal, and actively developing various energy resources including natural gas, hydropower, nuclear power, and recyclable energy. He pointed out: Sino-US energy cooperation is an important content of bilateral economic cooperation, and it is necessary to further give full play to the role of the bilateral energy dialogue mechanism.

Abraham said: There are many opportunities in Sino-US energy cooperation, and it is hoped that both sides can improve dialogue in energy fields and develop cooperation in the aspect of developing new technologies and new energy resources.

On the same day, Zeng Peiyan also met with Andrew N. Liveris, president and chief operating officer of The Dow Chemical Company, and his entourage.