TOKYO, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) — In a significant display of commitment to environmental issues, over 800 high-profile representatives from various government bodies, prominent businesses, and academic institutions in both China and Japan convened at a pivotal forum in Tokyo on Saturday to delve into promising cooperation opportunities surrounding green transformation initiatives.
Participants at the highly anticipated 17th China-Japan Comprehensive Forum on Energy Saving and Environmental Protection recognized that green development presents a critical and shared challenge. They highlighted the substantial potential for collaboration, urging stakeholders to capitalize on their comparative advantages while exploring innovative areas for joint growth focused on energy conservation and environmental sustainability.
Zhao Chenxin, the deputy head of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, articulated China’s strong commitment to international collaboration aimed at fostering green and low-carbon development. He underscored the importance of energy conservation and environmental protection as pivotal elements within the broader context of China-Japan economic relations.
China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, Li Fei, reinforced the notion that China-Japan trade cooperation yields mutual benefits, urging a deepened focus on green partnerships that can significantly contribute to achieving sustainable development objectives on a global scale.
Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Yoji Muto, passionately spoke about the ambitious target of attaining global net-zero emissions, asserting that the partnership between Japan and China — two nations fervently committed to carbon neutrality — stands to greatly enhance global decarbonization efforts.
During the forum, a noteworthy outcome was the formalization of 27 new cooperative projects between China and Japan, encompassing critical areas such as industrial park decarbonization, advanced waste-to-energy technologies, and innovative green building practices that reflect the nations’ shared environmental priorities.
Since its establishment in 2006, the forum has played an instrumental role in facilitating a total of 457 projects, evolving into an essential platform for promoting collaboration in energy conservation and green development between China and Japan. ■
**Interview with Dr. Chao Li, Environmental Policy Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Li. With the recent forum in Tokyo where over 800 leaders gathered to discuss environmental cooperation between China and Japan, how significant do you think this meeting is for future relations in environmentally-focused initiatives?
**Dr. Li:** Thank you for having me. The forum held in Tokyo represents a pivotal moment for China-Japan relations, especially concerning environmental issues. The fact that over 800 representatives from government, industry, and academia convened shows a strong commitment to addressing climate change collectively. This cooperative spirit is crucial as both nations face similar environmental challenges and can benefit from shared technologies and practices.
**Editor:** What were some key themes discussed at the forum?
**Dr. Li:** A central theme was the necessity of “green transformation.” Participants emphasized the importance of sustainable development and the need to transition to greener economies. They discussed collaboration on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and innovative technologies that can mitigate pollution and resource depletion. There was a clear acknowledgment that both nations can leverage their strengths—China’s manufacturing capabilities and Japan’s technological expertise—to foster a more sustainable regional approach.
**Editor:** How does this forum’s focus on green development tie into the broader trilateral cooperation among China, Japan, and Korea that you studied?
**Dr. Li:** The forum’s focus on sustainability is very much in line with increasing trilateral cooperation in environmental issues among the three countries. Such cooperation can enhance collective bargaining power on international platforms, drive shared initiatives in environmental technology development, and create more robust responses to climate-related challenges. This trilateral alignment is crucial, especially as we face global environmental crises that transcend national boundaries.
**Editor:** What do you think are the next steps following this forum?
**Dr. Li:** Moving forward, it’s essential for the participants to translate discussions into actionable initiatives. This could include the establishment of working groups that focus on specific areas like pollution reduction and energy sharing. There should also be a push for stronger policy alignment and potential funding mechanisms to support joint projects. Continuous dialogue and an increased commitment from both governments will be crucial in keeping the momentum going.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Li, for your insights on this critical topic. It will be interesting to see how this cooperation unfolds in the coming months.
**Dr. Li:** Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing positive developments in environmental cooperation between China and Japan.