China and the European Union (EU) will strengthen ties and further
cooperation to build "green" industries to contribute to the global
goal of environmental protection, sources said at the weekend
during the 2002 Green Ventures International Partnership Forum,
held in
Wuxi.
While China's economy has been developing at an unprecedented speed
and its urbanization is in full swing, environmental protection has
become a serious concern that needs to be handled carefully.
"We think there are a lot of opportunities for cooperation between
China and the EU in developing green industries and we are willing
to provide technology and personnel training in this respect," said
Victor Stimming, chairman of Germany's Potsdam Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (PCCI).
Wuxi is known for its beautiful environment and is often referred
to as a "green city." However fast economic development, especially
from small and medium-sized enterprises, has been seriously
threatening the area.
Taihu Lake, where the water quality is rapidly deteriorating, is an
example of the situation that is being caused by two factors - a
lack of people's awareness of environmental protection and a lack
of technology and funds.
"I
believe the cooperation between the EU and Wuxi in areas of
environmental protection know-how and technical support will be
helpful to the improvement of our environment and accelerate the
development of our economy," Wuxi Mayor Wang Rong said.
He
said a better environment will be conducive to the attraction of
more overseas investment to the city, which has already become a
location for Asian investment and is looking for more European
investment.
Since PCCI inaugurated the Green Ventures Forum in 1998, it has
become an influential annual forum on industrial development with
environmental protection at its core.
Over the past five years, the EU Asia Investment Plan has put in 42
million euros (about US$43.2 million) to promote and support
cooperation between EU members and Asian countries.
During that time, several environmental protection projects have
been carried out in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, yielding
remarkable results in environmental management and controlling
emissions from vehicles.
(China
Daily October 21, 2002)