Bizchina

Dialogue seeks to reach consensus

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-25 11:24

Yang Yi, researcher with the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University

Sino-US cooperation on climate change and energy might become a new growth point in bilateral relations if deeper consultation and wider consensus can be achieved. Climate change is a very sensitive issue but clean energy cooperation could be more technical, making it easier to proceed with concrete cooperative moves.

In the past, the major problem for the lack of a smooth bilateral relationship was lack of mutual trust and understanding of respective strategic plans. Clean energy cooperation would enhance that trust and could help achieve a breakthrough in bilateral relations.

The two countries reached a certain degree of consensus by signing the Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Cooperation on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment during the last round of dialogue.

Internationally, China and the US, the largest developing and developed country respectively, are regarded as the world's biggest sources of greenhouse gases. Domestically, both countries achieved results in pushing their respective climate change prevention policies and laws.

Despite the differences in values and national interest, the two countries need real breakthroughs in some core issues to build in-depth and lasting strategic cooperation. Their common ground on climate change could lay a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation on the issue.