China and Japan have agreed to cooperate in the verification of environmental signs marked on exported goods of either country.

An agreement was signed in Beijing Friday by the environmental verification center of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) of China and the environmental association of Japan.

Under the document, each of the two signers will accept applications for verifying an environmental sign delivered by applicants from the other country.

This is the third such agreement signed by China with other countries, following the similar agreements signed with Australia and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

According to an official with the SEPA, since China resumed its diplomatic ties with Japan in 1972, the bilateral trade has increased by 160 folds, to top US$168 billion in 2004.

After the entry of WTO, none-tariff barriers have been a major obstacle for China's exports. "Green Barrier" has hindered the exports of Chinese goods worth US$40-50 billion a year.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2005)