The United States and China should focus on energy cooperation so as to cope with a host of similar problems in the sphere of energy faced by both nations, a US official said in Beijing Friday.

While addressing faculty members and students at China's prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing, the US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said the U.S. and China have an excellent track record since their energy cooperation began in 1979.

This cooperation has continued in 2004.

In January this year, Abraham recalled, the two countries agreed to form the US-China Energy Policy Dialogue.

"This dialogue would enhance our bilateral collaboration in high energy physics, fossil energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy and energy information exchanges," he acknowledged.

"By communicating information, sharing research and pooling resources, our two nations can benefit in ways that each one, acting alone, could not."

In May, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the agenda for this Energy Dialogue at the International Energy Forum.

According to MOU, an energy policy workshop will be set up between China and the United States to conduct the dialogue and cooperation in the areas of shared interest.

China and the United States are using technology to make coal a safe and environmentally friendly source of energy, Abraham said.

In addition, the two countries are working to harness the power of pollution-free hydrogen, Abraham said. Developing viable hydrogen energy will not only provide a clean and almost infinite source of transportation fuel, it will greatly enhance the diversity that is critical to energy security, according to Abraham.

Abraham also said that the countries are working together to develop enhanced oil recovery technology and natural gas.

"My country has put a lot of efforts into promoting energy efficiency and conservation -- another area that is a logical topic of cooperation. This is becoming a larger priority for China," Abraham said.

"I am glad that we are finding ways of working together on these issues," Abraham said, citing the example of the Green Olympic Protocol the two countries signed this year. The protocol is designed to demonstrate clean energy technologies, as well as provide technical assistance in energy and environmental policy for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2004)