MEP Minister Zhou Shengxian met with visiting Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development, Mr. Erik Solheim in Beijing on June 30, and the two exchanged views on environmental protection issues of common concern and signed the MOU on Sino-Norway Environmental Cooperation.

(Photo Source: Deng Jia from China Environment News)

Minister Zhou first extended his welcome to Mr. Erik Solheim on behalf of MEP and briefed him on the latest development of environmental protection works in China. He noted that China has attained remarkable economic achievements of world interests during the process of rapid industrialization and urbanization but also accumulated serious environmental problems at the same time. To this end, the Chinese government has always kept sober-minded and attached great importance to these problems. In recent years, it has made major adjustment to the guiding principles on environmental protection works by putting forward the "synchronization, equal emphasis and comprehensive measures" regarding economic development and environmental protection so as to realize the economic growth optimized by environmental protection. Meanwhile, a leading team on energy conservation and emission reduction headed by Premier Wen Jiabao has been set up, the Comprehensive Work Plan on Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction was released, and a string of measures have been adopted to promote the full-range advancement of relevant works. The annual session of NPC held early this year decided to establish the Ministry of Environmental Protection, which has provided solid institutional foundation for intensifying environmental administration capacity. The deployment of major decisions on environmental protection in the new era made by the Chinese government has begun to take effect during the past couple of years. In specific, new breakthroughs have been reaped in the field of pollution reduction with the two major pollutants experiencing a "double fall" last year, and the focus of pollution prevention and control has shifted from passive tackling to active prevention and control, which has further consolidated our confidence and resolution for fulfilling the environmental protection targets set for the 11th "Five-Year" Plan period and the targets of improving environmental quality.

Minister Zhou noted that China and Norway have maintained sound cooperation relationship in the area of environmental protection, and the signing of this MOU on environmental cooperation served as an effective mechanism and broader platform for future cooperation between the two sides, which will definitely make more contribution to the promotion of the environmental protection undertaking. Meanwhile, the environmental industry and market of China are growing in strength thanks to the constant development of the environmental protection cause. We sincerely welcome Norwegian enterprises to bring their cutting-edge products and technologies to the Chinese market for competition so as to attain a win-win result of mutual benefit and cooperation.

In the meeting, Minister Zhou also expressed his thanks to the Norwegian government and people for their condolence and support to the Chinese government and people following the heavy earthquake occurred in Wenchuan County in Sichuan Province. He also briefed the guests on relevant post-disaster environmental emergency response works initiated by the MEP in the quake-stricken areas. He said, the MEP has immediately initiated Class I response following the earthquake by unfolding relevant emergency response works. Through the joint efforts of environmental protection departments at all levels, no major pollution accidents have emerged in the quake-stricken areas after the earthquake, and drinking water safety as well as nuclear and radiation safety have both been effectively guaranteed.

Mr. Erik Solheim spoke highly of the pragmatic, open and efficient work style demonstrated in the post-quake relief work by the Chinese government. He hoped that the two sides can constantly expand environmental cooperation to a broader and deeper scope and in particular intensify the communication on handling post-quake environmental issues in a bid to continuously promote the advancement of environmental protection cause.