The China-US Green Energy Forum, jointly hosted by the the Scientific Consultation Center of CAST and the US-China Green Energy Council, convened in Beijing on November 17.

Prof. Han Qide, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress of China and President of CAST, Prof. Zhao Zhongxian, vice president of CAST and member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mme Cheng Donghong, executive secretary of CAST, Dr. Robert Larson, former President of IEEE and Dr. Robert Wu, Chairman and CEO of US -China Green Energy Council, and other 400 people attended the opening ceremony. Prof. Han was also invited to chair the Forum honoraryly together with the US Senator Mme Dianne Feinstein. Prof. Zhao, Dr. Robert Wu and Dr. Robert Larson co-chaired the Forum.

Prof. Han pointed out in his opening speech that improving energy efficiency, optimizing energy mix, enhancing ecology restoration and protection had been identified as essential parts of the policies on climate change. The Chinese government will further play the role of scientific advancement in the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, vigorously improve technology on new energies, renewable energy and energy saving, promote the development of carbon absorption technology and other applied technologies, and promote scientific innovation and technology transfer. Emphasis has also been put on international exchange and cooperation. China will adhere to the principle of equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. Based on the overall situation of global energy security, China will also make full use of complementary natures of resources, economic and technological areas and actively carry out international energy cooperation.

After the brief opening ceremony, Prof. Xu Dingming, director of the National Energy Expert Consultative Committee of the National Energy Leading Group, Prof. Ni Weidou, member of CAS and former vice president of Tsinghua University, and Prof. Shankar Sastry, member of the US National Academy of Engineering and Dean of the College of Engineering, University of California, Berkeley gave the key speeches. Prof. Xu presented his opinion on the challenges faced and strategies on China green energy issues based on an overall observation. Prof. Ni claimed that identifying the priority issues and a well strategy on green energy development were important for China. Prof. Sastry demonstrated what they had done on green energy at Berkeley. Plenary discussions, keynote speeches and session discussions on more than 20 topics at 3 different sessions were expected to provide a platform for the China-US collaberation on green energy, including advancing R&D and application on energy technology, perfecting ecological environment, and promote the sustainable development in society and economy.