MEP Minister Zhou Shengxian met with the Special Representative of U.S. President and Treasury Secretary Mr. Paulson and his retinue in the office building. Both sides exchanged views on enhancing the cooperation in environment field.

At first, Minister Zhou expressed his welcome to Mr. Paulson. He said, China-U.S Strategic Economic Dialogue provided a good opportunity for bilateral environmental cooperation, and China would highlight the top priority on the basis of good cooperation for years and closely around the needs of the country's environmental protection, and further promote the bilateral cooperation. The 10-year plan for cooperation on energy and environment is one of the important findings of the 3^rd China-U.S Strategic Economic Dialogue and of unique significance to continuing this dialogue. "We hoped that on the basis of the current cooperation, we can enhance the bilateral cooperation on water pollution control, SO₂ emissions trading, air pollution control, and use and disposal of wastes", said the Minister.

Mr. Paulson congratulated on the birth of the Ministry and Mr. Zhou's appointment as the first chief of the Ministry. He appreciated the country's efforts in environmental protection and hoped both sides would extend the area of cooperation, enlarge the communications, and cooperate fruitfully in more areas.