China launched a national science and technology project Monday to boost international cooperation on new and renewable energy.

According to the project, China will develop new patterns for international exchange and cooperation, encourage countries to complement each other with respective technological strengths and set up a platform for technological cooperation.

Government support will be prioritized in five research fields, including solar power, biomass fuels and biomass power, wind power, hydrogen energy and fuel cells, and gas hydrates, the project said.

The project will be jointly conducted by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Development and Reform Commission.

An experts committee will be established to oversee the project, said Vice Minister of Science and Technology Shang Yong.

Equal efforts will also be given to soliciting private capital and investment from the business sector, especially the international energy giants, to enhance international cooperation on new and renewable energy, Shang said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 12, 2007)