China and Germany will collaborate to build Asia's largest wind turbines in Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province.

 

According to the plan, five wind turbines each with a generating capability of five mega-watts will be installed in the sea off Qingdao. They will serve as power generating units for the maritime events of the 2008 Olympic Games to be held in Qingdao.

 

Tourists will be able to go up elevators within the turbines in order to get views of the surrounding area. An exhibition center will also be set up to provide information on environmental protection.

 

One of six projects to be signed at the three-day second Sino-German Forum on the Environment from January 11-13 in Qingdao, the project is expected to receive a 50 million euro (US$61 million) investment from Germany. The six projects will cost nearly US$121 million.

 

The forum, which focuses on cooperation to develop sustainable energy and a circular economy, attracted representatives from economic and environmental protection circles from the two countries. 

 

"The forum will highlight issues surrounding sustainable development and a circular economy, since they are a top priority for China" said Zhu Guangyao, vice minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA). 

 

"Germany is well-known for its advanced technology and rich management experience in the fields of renewable energy and a circular economy," Zhu said. "The future for cooperation between the two countries looks bright." 

 

"A strong environmental policy could help to support further economic developments," said Matthias Machnig, State Secretary of Germany and Federal Minister of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. 

 

(China Daily January 13, 2006)