Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua, Beijing Vice Mayor Fan Boyuan and U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham signed in Beijing Monday a protocol to jointly develop clean energy technologies for the 2008 Olympics.

By signing the document, China and the United States specified that they would strengthen cooperation in 11 areas, including efficient use of natural gas, fuel cell, energy project landscaping in Olympic villages, energy efficiency demonstration projects, water quality, intellectualized transport, energy efficiency, air quality, weather forecast, purified coal technology and closer partnership between Beijing and Chicago.

Both China and the United States are faced with energy-saving to avert environmental problems.

At part of its bid for the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing vowed to save energy and clean its environment.

Together with Beijing municipal government, the ministry set up plans boosting environment-friendly technologies in Beijing.

Since 2002, the Chinese and U.S. sides have jointly organized meetings and visits on energy-saving technologies.

(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2004)