On Jan. 31, SEPA Minister Zhou Shengxian met with a visiting delegation led by Gabriel, German Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Both sides thoroughly exchanged their views on environmental issues of common concern.  

Zhou Shengxian first gave an introduction to China's progress in environmental protection. He highlighted the government's efforts to accelerate transformation in environmental protection in a bid to properly handle the relationship between economic development and environmental protection and optimize economic growth through environmental improvement. Last year the Chinese government formed a national leading group for energy conservation and emission reduction headed by Premier Wen Jiabao and unveiled General Work Plan for Energy Conservation and Pollutant Discharge Reduction. We aim to realize the reduction targets set out in the Eleventh Five-year Plan through economic restructuring and changing the mode of economic growth. By the end of September 2007, the total discharge of two major pollutants had dropped for the first time throughout China, which means a turning point for China and also a boost in our resolution and confidence to enhance pollution control and environmental improvement. Now governments at all levels are increasing spending to promote energy conservation, emission reduction and environmental protection.

Zhou Shengxian pointed out, as a big developing country, China is witnessing an ever expanding environment cause which calls for extensive exchanges and cooperation among countries. Germany has advanced environmental concepts, mature technologies and experiences in pollution control that are all worthy of learning. We will continue this good momentum for cooperation and develop cooperative projects focusing on energy conservation, emission reduction and pollution control, try to build demonstration projects for chemical management and disposal of electronic wastes. We hope more German enterprises will engage in China-Germany cooperation in environmental protection and further open up a new situation for mutual benefit.

Gabriel expressed appreciation for the positive progress China has made in its environmental cause. He hoped both sides would strengthen cooperation in environmental protection to jointly promote the advancement of environmental cause.