SEPA Vice Minister Wu Xiaoqing met with Mr. Deval Patrick, the Governor of Massachusetts, the United States and his retinue on December 4. Both sides exchanged views on the cooperation in the environment field.

Mr. Wu introduced the country's environmental protection situation. He said, China has faced complicated and sharp environmental problems in the course of rapid economic development. Chinese Government has attached great importance to this and constantly enhances the environmental work. Due to the strenuous efforts, the first three quarters has witnessed decreases in the total amount of the two major pollutants. This is a hard-earned achievement, which enhances our confidence in realizing the environmental targets and tasks set by the 11th Five-Year Plan. Currently, China still faces very serious environmental situation, so the environmental protection needs not only the continued efforts of all walks of the society, but also the active international communications and cooperation, and the advanced environmental concepts and technologies. He hoped that relevant agencies and enterprises could, taking advantage of their scientific research and technological edges, actively participate in the competition of China's environmental industry market, share the experience and seek common development.

Mr. Deval Patrick appraised the country's achievements in environmental protection and hoped that from now on both sides would cooperate on the cleaner energy and pollution control, exchange views on the environmental scientific research and environmental education, and together promote the development of the environment cause.