The 8th China-EU Energy Cooperation Conference kicked off on Tuesday at the Belgium-EU Pavilion at the World Expo Park in Shanghai.

"Energy cooperation between the EU and China has achieved significant progress in the past two decades," said Wan Gang, Chinese Minister of Science and Technology, in an opening address.

Wan said the Chinese Government will promote cooperation with the EU in the fields of basic research as well as investment in the high-tech sector in order to develop renewable energy and improve China's current energy structure, which is highly dependent on coal consumption.

Wan specifically mentioned that the government would offer a hand to small and medium-sized enterprises in the energy industry to help them find ideal partners.

Gunther Oettinger, EU Commissioner for Energy, attended the conference and delivered a speech in which he urged China and the EU to speed up their cooperation in the field of energy so as to tackle climate change.

"We have no choice but to invest tomorrow's energy today," Oettinger said.

He also said someone might argue that countries cannot afford the new energy strategy, but he believes they won't be able to afford the consequences if they don't take action now. Only if people achieve technological development can energy security and competitiveness be secured, he said.

Since 1994, the China-EU Energy Cooperation Conference has been held alternately in China and EU member countries seven times. At this year's two-day conference, more than 200 participants from both sides are focusing on the three themes of renewable energies, smart grids and clean vehicles.

(CRIENGLISH.com July 6, 2010)