April 1999

Officials from China and the United States met at the U.S./China Policy Forum on Environment and Development to create a variety of environmental agreements.

US Vice-President Al Gore met with Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji to discuss several environmental problems China is experiencing and how the US can assist the country.

The Flags of the US and China.  Image Credit: CIA.

The countries agreed for the US to sell to China environmental technology that will hopefully reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  China has been experiencing tremendous pollution problems since it began to rapidly industrialize.

By selling China technology, the US hopes to reduce pollution, promote more efficient forms of energy production, and encourage the development of renewable energy.

The US will also begin investing in China's energy sector.  A clean energy program costing $100 million will be developed by the two nations.

"As we count down the time to the 21st century in days, not years, more and more of our challenges are threats all nations face together, and no nation can solve on its own," said Gore.

Researchers will investigate the possibility of using tradable pollution permits in China in an effort to boost economic efficiency.

By working together, the US and China hope to save the global environment.  The countries also aim to share information and assist each other in promoting a cleaner domestic environment.