Germany and China strengthening relations in the fields of environment and energy
On 17 December 2003 parliamentary State Secretary Margarete Wolf and the Chinese Environment Minister Xie Zhenhua opened the first joint environment forum of the two countries in Beijing. "China has a huge potential with regards energy efficiency and the development of renewable energies," said Wolf. "I am confident that this forum will contribute to an experience exchange in the fields of environment and energy, in preparation for the International Conference for Renewable Energies in June 2004".
The State Secretary said that improving energy efficiency and utilising renewable energies would pay off for both sides. The global environment would be eased and the economy boosted. "This will also help us at home," she said. "This is, without doubt a cooperation to our mutual benefit."
At the German-Chinese Environment Conference 2000 in Beijing, Germany and China agreed to hold regular environmental fora, aimed at promoting the discussion of solutions for China's environmental problems. This year's forum is being organised by the BMU, German trade and industry's Asia Pacific Committee (APA/BDI), the Chinese State Environmental Protection Administration and the China Federation of Industrial Economics.
Wolf emphasised China's huge potential for increasing energy efficiency and developing renewable energies. She drew attention to the involvement of German trade and industry and the company expertise available for tapping this potential." I am delighted that German industry has shown such commitment to this forum. Germany has achieved major successes in climate protection at an international level. In view of the need for a global change in energy policy, the key to a future-oriented energy supply lies in a balanced mix of energy efficiency and greater use of renewables. Germany is a frontrunner and a catalyst for this development and has demonstrated that economic growth is still possible with lower energy consumption." Wolf went on to say than an environmentally sound energy mix benefits not only climate protection: "At present, two billion people have no access to an electricity supply. The potential for decentralised use of renewable energies means they can play an important role in combating poverty, including in the rural regions of developing countries".