An international symposium on practical solar energy technology and "South-South Cooperation" opened on Saturday in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province.

Participants from 41 countries and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) were in attendance. They shared experiences and exchanged views regarding technologies in solar energy, relevant product development, popularization and technical transfers, alongside other topics.

Liang Dan, director of the UNIDO Industrial Technology and Promotion Branch, said she hoped the symposium could help narrow technical gaps worldwide and offer new trade opportunities.

Zhao Yongli, assistant to the chief of China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchange (CICETE), believed South-South Cooperation was an important way to help advance popularization of solar energy technology.

The two-day symposium was sponsored by organizations including the UNIDO and CICETE.

Under the Renewable Energy Law passed by China's top legislature, the National People's Congress in February 2005, the country regarded renewable energy, including solar energy, as a critical part of its energy strategy.

Renewable energy will account for more than 10 percent of China's total volume of primary energy consumption by 2020, with solar energy being the largest component, second only to hydroelectric power. ‘

(Xinhua News Agency July 27, 2008)