23-05-04

Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Minister Zhang Guobao, vice chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) that will launch the US-China Energy Policy Dialogue.

The Dialogue will strengthen energy-related interactions between China and the United States, the world's two largest energy consumers. The MoU follows Secretary Abraham's meeting in Beijing with NDRC Chairman Ma Kai in January 2004.

"This agreement helps expand the energy relationship between the US and China and will allow Minister Zhang and I and our respective staffs to continue our discussions of energy issues at the policy level," Secretary Abraham said.

"Our two nations' economies continue to improve, which means we both will need increased reliable and affordable energy supplies. This agreement will allow us to share our challenges and successes so we can both benefit from the solutions we create."

The US-China Energy Policy Dialogue will build upon the two country's current cooperative ventures. The US and China are currently engaged in bilateral collaboration in high energy nuclear physics, fossil energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy and energy information exchanges, and the NDRC and the Department of Energy cooperate in the exchange of views and expertise on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technologies, and the Oil and Gas Industry Forum.

Under the Energy Policy Dialogue, some active discussions on issues like energy security and regulatory reform are expected.

Source: US Newswire