An urban green environmental construction conference between senior officials of China and the United Sates was held recently in Beijing to discuss the establishment of cooperative relations to promote green world development.

"Green environmental protection is an international concept. Sustainable development is the primary concern for urban development of all countries in the world," said Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Chen said China took the lead in making a China 21st Century Agenda as early as 1992, when the World Environment and Development Conference was held. The slogan of "Green Olympics", being promoted for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, stands out as a landmark for urban green environmental construction here. Currently, some 86 Chinese cities have vowed to build themselves into internationalized metropolises. "This is an onerous task for urban constructors," Chen added.

The conference was co-sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Oregon state government of the United States. "Oregon is one of the American states with an excellent ecological environment," said Chen.

Aimed at green environmental construction and air quality control as well as city planning, Oregon has a set of scientific management practices and advanced modern biological technology, according to Chen. As the largest developing country in the world, China has made great economic progress since the implementation of opening and reform policies in 1978. However, many problems relating to environmental protection and urban management await solution.

As China has had to learn foreign advanced management experience and technology, so the conference has helped the two countries exchange experience and views on urban green environmental construction, Chen added.

(China.org.cn translated by Li Jingrong March 26, 2003)