BRUSSELS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- China and Europe should learn from each others' strong points in urbanization, Yang Baojun, president of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design (CAUPD), said in an interview with Xinhua Friday.
Yang, chief planner with China's national research center on urban planning and architectural design, participated in the third EU-China Innovation Co-operation Dialogue, organized here Friday on the sidelines of the 19th EU-China Summit.
He said that both China and Europe have expressed a strong willingness to further strengthen cooperation on research and innovation during the dialogue. "Facing common challenges, China and the EU (European Union) have the sincerity to promote cooperation in this area. I am optimistic about the prospects," Yang said.
As an outcome of the dialogue, the EU and China will boost cooperation with a new package of flagship initiatives targeting plenty of areas including the environment, sustainable urbanization and transport, Yang said.
He said the two sides have agreed to jointly set up platforms to promote EU-China innovation cooperation in urbanization.
Calling urbanization the only way of modernization, Yang said Europe is the forerunner of urbanization, with experience in environmental protection, historical and cultural heritage protection, concern for human needs, as well as resource consumption reduction.
China should learn from Europe's successful experience, Yang said, adding that, "China's urbanization is also worthy of Europe's attention."
He explained that China's innovation is driven by much more sufficient power since the urbanization process in China and Europe are in different stages. In addition, "the Chinese government is more efficient in the planning of urbanization and coordination of resources," Yang said.
There are a lot of views and approaches that China and Europe can learn from each other, the expert said.
According to Yang, the CAUPD is the leading institution responsible for the planning of the Xiongan New Area.
China has announced in April it would establish the Xiongan New Area in Hebei Province, as part of measures to advance the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for "world vision, international standards, Chinese characteristics and high goals" in the planning and construction of the area.
"Our planning will be fully in accordance with these requirements, especially highlighting the advanced international standards and our rich cultural connotations," the expert said.
