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)