US, China Announce Clean Energy Research Center

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, second left, is accompannied by U.S. Ambassador to China...

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, second left, is accompannied by U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt, left, and unidentified Chinese officers during his visit to China Resources Golden Concord-Co-generation Plant at the Beijing Development Area in Beijing, Wednesday, July 15, 2009. The United States and China both need to cut their carbon emissions and have to start cooperating on science and technology to battle climate change, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

(AP)

The United States and China, the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitters, announced plans for a joint clean energy research center Wednesday as the American commerce secretary appealed to Beijing to avoid imposing trade barriers on green technology.

The research center is an effort at compromise between the two governments, which disagree on whether China should join richer nations in adopting binding emissions-reduction targets to stave off environmental devastation from climate change.

With initial financing of $15 million and headquarters in both countries, the center will focus on coal and clean buildings and vehicles, said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. It highlights potential U.S.-Chinese cooperation in an industry that Washington says could create thousands of jobs.

"I know we can accomplish more by working together than by working alone," Chu said after meeting with Chinese Science and Technology Minister Wan Gang in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.

Chu and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke were in Beijing to lobby China to promote private-sector development of solar, wind, biofuels and other clean energy.

Locke appealed to China to avoid trade barriers to clean technology. Some companies say Beijing is trying to build up its industry by shielding companies from competition, shutting foreign competitors out of wind power and other projects.

"We need to empower U.S. and Chinese entrepreneurs and innovators to create and collaborate free from artificial trade barriers," Locke said in a speech to an audience of American businesspeople.

President Barack Obama sees the development of cleaner energy as a source of growth and jobs for the struggling U.S. economy. His stimulus package includes billions of dollars for alternative energy research.

China is promoting solar, wind and hydroelectric power to reduce reliance on imported oil and gas, which its communist leaders see as a strategic weakness. But Beijing has rejected binding emissions commitments, saying it is the responsibility of rich countries to cut their own output.