China's Ministry of Science and Technology and the US Department of Energy have decided to jointly sponsor a large-scale clean energy technology forum and exhibition in Beijing August 28 to September 1, 2001.　

Shi Dinghuan, head of the high and new technology department of the Ministry of Science and Technology, said November 10 at a news conference that the forum and exhibition aim at demonstrating the latest developments made by the two countries in clean energy technology and new technology in energy saving.　

The event is expected to promote bilateral cooperation in the fields, Shi said.　

During the forum that scientists and businessmen from the two countries will launch academic exchanges and probe feasibility for cooperation in the fields of power system, clean fuel, oil and gas, energy and environment, new energy and other related technology.　

The official said that the Sino-US cooperation in energy technology constitutes an important part of the cooperation between the governments of the two countries.　

He urged the US to further support its trial demonstration energy projects in China and push ahead the technological exchanges between the two sides.　

Statistics indicated that coal accounts for around 90 percent of China's energy resources. Energy consumption with coal as the major source can lead to pollution problems.　

China is also expected to increase its imports of petroleum and gas in the coming years.　

Experts here believe that the pushing ahead of making use of clean energy development in China is of great strategic importance to the country.

(People's Daily 11/11/2000)