As part of the efforts to build groundwork for the first US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue that will be held later this month, as well as in preparation for President Barack Obama’s first trip to China later this year, US Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke arrived in Beijing yesterday to discuss clean energy and global warming with Chinese leaders.

At noon today, Mr. Locke delivered a luncheon speech to the American Chamber of Commerce and US-China Business Council. In his speech he said that the “widespread deployment of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies is also the only way our economies can continue to grow while preventing the catastrophic effects of climate change.”

The main purpose of the trip is to seek clean energy cooperation with China, as China is starting to give more weight to its energy industry. This means multi-billion-dollar economic opportunities for the US, which is still struggling in the financial crisis.

Locke emphasized that the cooperation will be a win-win solution for China and the US. “It will create millions of jobs to China instead of sacrificing jobs,” he said.

Locke thinks clean energy cooperation is the ultimate and the most effective way to fight global warming. “We all share the same atmosphere and if we do not act, we’ll all suffer from the coastal flooding, unpredictable weather and agricultural damage that is undoubtedly in store if we don’t change the way we use energy. As inhabitants of this planet, we will rise or fall together.”

For the next three days, the two officials will meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and will visit the Wal-Mart Green Store and the “America House,” both of which are endeavors to promote clean energy.