Beijing eyes Finnish tech for pollution control

BEIJING - Beijing municipal authorities are considering importing experience and clean technology from Finland to aid the city's fight against air pollution.

While attending the "Beautiful Beijing" Cleantech Cooperation Seminar on Monday, Ville Niinisto, Finland's Minister of Environment, said that Finland also experienced heavy industrial pollution in the 1970s, but swiftly changed to a cleaner growth path.

Finland's clean technology sector is currently worth about 15 to 20 billion euros, equal to one percent of the global clean technology market, according to Niinisto.

According to a newly released five-year clean air action plan, the often smog-shrouded Beijing pledged to reduce particle PM 2.5 density from 2012 levels by 25 percent or more by 2017.

Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen said his country welcomes China's emission control goals and is willing to share Finland's experience on how to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

Li Junfeng, director of China's National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, said China definitely needs core technology for emission reduction and greener development.

He considers the "Beautiful Beijing" project an ideal platform for technology exchange as it was jointly launched by the Chinese Ministry of Environment Protection, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes) and the environment authority of Beijing.

Under the project, Chinese and Finnish clean technology companies are expected to carry out research and pilot programs in five major sectors: energy production, building construction, traffic, energy efficiency in major industries and the monitoring of air quality.