China and Italy will further expand cooperation on environmental protection projects after years of partnerships have been proved successful, said Zhou Shengxian, director of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA).

 

At the opening ceremony of the Sino-Italian Green Week, Zhou said Sino-Italian environment cooperative projects represent successful bilateral cooperation.

 

Since 2000, Italy has donated 162 million euros (US$207 million) to China, providing funding for more than 50 environmental projects.

 

Tangible results have been achieved in natural resource protection, energy efficiency and renewable energy, organic pollutant reduction and elimination, environment monitoring, sustainable agricultural development and water resource management.

 

Italian Environment Minister Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio said Italy faces environmental challenges similar to China.

 

The July 3-6 Sino-Italian Green Week includes a forum on the environment, a presentation on Beijing green Olympics and an Italian building and construction design exhibition.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2006)