The first session of the China-US Global Issues Forum was opened in Washington Wednesday to discuss the cooperation between the two nations on global affairs. 

Assistant Foreign Minister Shen Guofang and US Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Pamla Dobriansky co-chaired the forum, which was also attended by US officials from the departments of state, energy and health and Chinese officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, public security, health and environment.

The forum, which was aimed at strengthening the two countries' cooperation in global issues, focused on four aspects: sustainable development and energy, humanitarian assistance and development, cooperation in law enforcement and public health.

In the aspect of sustainable development and energy, the officials discussed biological diversity, climate changes and international cooperation in clean energy.

Both sides agreed to promote their coordination and cooperation in the fields of clean energy, energy efficiency and new energy technology.

In the aspect of humanitarian assistance and development, officials attending the forum exchanged their views on how to improve the responsibility of international community to world humanitarian crisis.

On the cooperation of law enforcement, the discussion focused on the campaigns against Internet crimes, corruption, intellectual property crimes, human abduction and other trans-national crimes.

The officials also agreed to cooperate in the campaigns against SARS, bird-flu and other public health issues.

Both US and Chinese officials said the forum is a new chapter of the cooperation between the two countries and will further promote bilateral relations.

They also agreed to hold the forum annually. The second forum will be held in Beijing in the first half of next year. 

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2005)