BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- China welcomed the European Commission's (EC) pledge to provide up to 57 million Euros to a joint near-zero emissions coal (NZEC) project, according to a joint statement issued by China and the European Union (EU) Monday.

    The statement said China also welcomed the Conclusions of the EU Environment Council of Oct. 21, regarding the follow-up China-EU NZEC project.

    The statement was issued on the sidelines of the 12th China-EU Summit in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province in east China.

    Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attended the meeting with President of the European Council and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.

    In the joint statement, both sides shared the view that climate change was one of the most important global challenges of our time which demanded urgent and cooperative action, and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in this field.

    They would, consistent with the provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol and the Bali Roadmap, work with other parties for a comprehensive, fair and ambitious outcome at the UN Climate Change Conference next month in Copenhagen, in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

    The joint statement said the two sides believed that substantially scaled up financial support by developed countries and arrangements to promote technology dissemination in and transfer to developing countries would be an important outcome in Copenhagen.

    They stressed that ambitious and transparent emissions reduction targets by developed countries, and nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing countries, with a view to promoting the transition to a low carbon economy, supported and enabled by financing, technology and capacity building from developed countries, were crucial to furthering the efforts to address climate change.

    The joint statement said the EU welcomed and appreciated the decision by China to set quantified national targets to limit the carbon intensity of its economy, as well as other numerical targets and policy measures as a contribution to address climate change. China welcomed and appreciated the leading role and great efforts of the EU in addressing climate change.

    The two sides recognized the comprehensive cooperation in the field of climate change between China and the EU, and agreed to enhance coordination and cooperation to further implement the China-EU Joint Declaration on Climate Change, and upgrade the Partnership on Climate Change.

    They would intensify policy dialogue and practical cooperation on climate change, including, but not limited to renewable energy, energy efficiency, joint development, demonstration and transfer of climate-friendly technologies, sustainable urban development, capacity building and regional cooperation, so as to promote continuous development of the partnership in tackling climate change.

    In the joint statement, they recognized that transition to a low-carbon economy is an important way to achieve sustainable development.

    In this context, they welcomed the deepening of their Energy Dialogue, with a view to enhancing the use of clean and sustainable energy as well as global energy security. They also welcomed concrete cooperation and called for deeper cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, clean coal, bio-fuels and energy efficiency.

    They reaffirmed in the joint statement the aim to develop and demonstrate, in China and in EU member states, advanced near-zero emission power generation technology through carbon dioxide capture and storage(CCS).

China, EU to promote trade, investment

    NANJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union, in a joint statement issued Monday, vowed to step up efforts to promote trade and investment and increase effective market access.

    The statement was issued on the sidelines of the 12th China-EU Summit held in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province in east China. Full story

Wen calls for China-EU ties to be more strategic, comprehensive and stable

NANJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday that the China-EU relations should be more strategic, comprehensive and stable.

He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 12th China-EU summit held in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. Full story

12th China-EU summit begins in Nanjing

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (3rd L), European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (3rd R) and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (2nd R), whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, co-chair the 12th China-EU summit in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 30, 2009. The 12th China-EU summit began here Monday morning.(Xinhua/Zhang Duo) Photo Gallery>>>

    NANJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The 12th China-EU summit began in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, here Monday morning.

    Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, European Commission President Barroso and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, co-chaired the one-day meeting.Full story