Canada and China to Cooperate on Clean Technology Development

OTTAWA, Feb. 26, 2016 –  Jim Carr, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, and Mr.Zhigang Wang, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, met in Ottawa yesterday to discuss collaboration in clean technology during a meeting of the Canada-China Joint Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation.

During the meeting, Minister Carr and Vice Minister Wang, on behalf of their respective governments, signed a Joint Declaration on Canada-China Clean Technology Cooperation. The declaration was also signed by Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

The Joint Declaration demonstrates shared objectives, including:

• Sharing best practices to determine policy approaches to clean technology;
• Addressing economic and social challenges through clean technology;
• Exploring the possibility of clean energy technology demonstrations; and
• Facilitating collaboration between small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Declaration reinforces the principles behind Mission Innovation. On November 30, 2015, Canada andChina announced their participation in this initiative, along with 18 other countries. Participating governments agreed to double their investments in clean energy research and development over five years.

“Canada and China have a long history of cooperation, and we look forward to working together to further capitalize on the opportunities in this important sector,” said Minister Carr.

The signing of the Declaration today demonstrates Canada’s work with global partners to promote cleaner energy and better environmental outcomes that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It also contributes to the government’s goal of clean technology innovation that will deliver clean jobs, growth and prosperity, and position Canada for leadership in a low-carbon economy.