Federal Environment Minister Röttgen ends his visit to China
China and Germany intend to strengthen their cooperation on environmental and climate policy. At the end of his trip to Beijing and Nanjing Federal Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen made the following statement: "China and Germany are particularly well placed to drive the global development towards a green economy with ambitious modernisation projects. For this reason energy efficiency and electric mobility will be a focal point of our cooperation over the coming years. If Germany and China, both highly innovative countries, simultaneously achieve the switch to green growth it will benefit both countries. Joint actions also improve the chances of success of international climate protection efforts."
For example, the first meeting of a Sino-German climate working group will be held before the next Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (in December 2010 in Mexico). This working group will aim to bring positions on key issues of international climate policy closer together. Joint solutions will also be striven for regarding the pending UN environmental reform. The two governments will also strengthen cooperation on chemicals management, plant safety, waste water management and closed cycle management.
Round-table discussions were held in Nanjing with German and Chinese companies regarding options for cooperation on energy efficiency in buildings and industry. Minister Röttgen then toured the BASF-YPC Co. Ltd production site, which was recently expanded using an investment of 1.4 billion US dollars. In view of the energy efficiency measures in place, the minister highlighted the site as an example of the importance of economic cooperation in the field of low-carbon production processes.
Federal Environment Minister Röttgen held talks in Beijing with the Chair of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Ping, Environment Minister Zhou Shengxian, Science Minister Wan Gang and high-level representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Communist Party of China. In Nanjing he met with members of the government of the Jiangsu province. 31 representatives of industry and the presidents of three environmental and nature conservation organisations accompanied Minister Röttgen. Dr Jürgen Heraeus, the China Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business, headed the economic delegation.