The US and China are working on strengthening ties between the two countries on many fronts, one of which is clean energy. Both countries are among the top global carbon emitters, and both countries are taking steps towards reducing their carbon emissions in the near future. Secretary Chu will be visiting China from May 24 for four days, and will meet with government officials, academia and private sector members in Beijing and Shanghai. The purpose of the talks is to learn more about the ways the two countries can collaborate on clean energy research and technological development.

Back in March this year, the US government announced USD 37.5 million in funding for five years of the US-China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC). The center will provide an environment for joint research and development activities in clean energy technologies, involving scientists and engineers from both countries.

Both the Chinese and the US clean energy market are on a path of growth involving already established renewable energy technologies in wind, solar and hydro energy, but also ground-breaking marine energy and biomass energy technologies as well. Much of the global R&D activities in these areas is taking place in these two countries, with large scale investments and expansion planned for the future.

[source: US DoE]