Climate change and environmental protection comprise the bulk of discussions at the European Union-China Summit, which starts today in Beijing.
Major areas of cooperation between the two sides will be high on the agenda of the annual meeting, including efforts to combat climate change by setting up a clean-energy research center.
The discussions come at a crucial time. Next month, about 180 countries' environmental leaders will meet in Bali, Indonesia, to revisit post-Kyoto Protocol issues and decide on joint efforts to reduce global warming.
China and the EU are expected to play influential roles in negotiations there.
Environmental experts also believe that a cooperation agreement mapped out at the ongoing summit will usher both sides into a new era of environmental development.
Cooperation on climate change and environmental protection between the two sides has a long history. It has helped China move forward on a green and sustainable track. China is a rapidly developing country facing many environmental challenges.
The country's rapid economic growth and energy-related challenges directly impact climate change, energy security, air pollution, and the environment in general - both locally and globally.
Over the last decade, China and the EU have worked together closely on environmental and energy issues. They work via established ministerial-level dialogues, high-level working groups, joint workshops or conferences, and through the Sino-EU cooperation program.
The 2005 EU-China Summit in Beijing also established a firm partnership on fighting climate change.
Bilateral cooperation in the environment and sustainable development sectors will continue to address a wide range of issues - from biodiversity protection, water management and waste management, to energy saving and climate change.
Questions:
1.Where will leaders from 180 countries meet next month?
2.The EU and China are said to be working together to build what?
3. In what year did the EU-China Summit in Beijing establish a firm partnership on addressing climate change?
Answers:
1. Bali, Indonesia.
2. A clean-energy research center.
3. 2005.
（英语点津 Annabel 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Jonathan Stewart is a media and journalism expert from the United States with four years of experience as a writer and instructor. He accepted a foreign expert position with chinadaily.com.cn in June 2007 following the completion of his Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Comparative Politics.
