http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/energy-efficiency/uk-investment-minister-highlights-chinese-sustainable-investment-prospects.html
UK Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green has called on UK companies to look for new business opportunities in China’s sustainable cities.
Green said, ‘China invested nearly $35bn in clean energy in 2009, more than anywhere else in the world. That is why we are encouraging greater collaboration between UK businesses and their Chinese counterparts to transfer technical expertise, cut business costs and drive green economic growth.This will ensure that our partnership for growth has sustainability at its heart.’
Both China and the UK are focused on increasing opportunities for inward investment. Last November, the UK Prime Minister led the biggest ever government-led delegation to China.
China’s Vice Premier Li Keqiang visited the UK in January, during which China and the UK formed an agreement on low carbon co-operation. UK Trade & Investment and China’s commission for foreign trade and economy signed in an agreement to develop sustainable cities back in 2009.
The collaboration between the countries will focus initially on the exchange of practical policy expertise for low carbon pilots in the Chinese cities of Chongqing, Guangdong and Hubei, which together have a combined population of 180 million.
Chongqing has been recognised by the UK as one of three leading sustainable cities in China, alongside Wuhan and Changsha. The Two Rivers New Zone in China is expected to lead Chongqing’s push to become the key centre of finance and commerce for inland China. The sustainable development is forecast to contribute some RMB600bn to Chongqing’s gross domestic product by 2020. With increasing activities aiming towards sustainability, the region’s gross domestic product jumped 17 per cent last year alone.