(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-08 19:43

TOKYO  -- China and Japan agreed on Wednesday to strengthen cooperation in the fields of energy and environment protection.

Both sides, which are deeply concerned about the soaring world oil prices, agree to continue ministerial-level dialogue on energy policy and explore mutually beneficial cooperation in the field, according to a joint press communique.

China and Japan agreed to continue research on carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technique to enhance oil recovery, and welcome diagnosis on the energy efficiency and environment friendliness of the iron, steel and concrete industries.

They also agree to strengthen cooperation in electricity-generating nuclear energy, and to exchange information and technology in developing biofuel under the principles of not jeopardizing food supply and arable land.

Both sides agree that it is necessary for the world's major energy consumers, including both China and Japan, to exchange views on policies and measures on energy conservation and share information.

The two countries welcome a memorandum reached between environment protection authorities of the two countries on waste water treatment projects in small towns and villages, the communique says.

The two countries highly evaluate the progress made in a joint research on sand storms and express readiness to further promote the exchange and cooperation among Asian countries on atmospheric environment research.

The two countries hail the forestry cooperation between the two governments and the solid work by non-governmental forestation groups of the two countries. They pledge to plant more trees, fight illegal felling of trees and contribute to the restoration and sustainable management of the forests in Asia.

Last December, Chinese and Japanese senior officials held talks in Beijing on macro economic policies, climate change, energy efficiency as well as trade and quarantine. The next round of dialogue on economy is scheduled in Tokyo this autumn.