Hearing on China’s Energy Policies and Their Environmental Impacts
Opening Statement of Dr. Larry Wortzel, Chairman
August 13, 2008
Washington, DC
Good morning and welcome to the ninth hearing of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s 2008 reporting cycle. We are pleased that you could join us today.
At this hearing, we are continuing the Commission’s assessment of U.S.-China relations by exploring China’s energy policies and the environmental effects of those policies. This topic is of critical importance to both the United States and China, given that both countries are the top two consumers and producers of coal and that China has now surpassed the United States in the production of greenhouse gas emissions. However, despite emerging challenges to energy security, there are shared interests and opportunities available for cooperation in research and policy.
Today’s panels will assess the reforms of China’s energy and environmental policymaking structures; the effects of China’s greenhouse gas emissions and its approach to climate change; and U.S.-China civil nuclear cooperation. During this hearing, we hope to hear suggestions of how to maximize cooperation with China on reducing its emissions and energy intensity, and also how to ensure that American security and technology interests are protected as China expands its civil nuclear industry.
Key members of the Administration, and expert witnesses have been invited to present testimony on these important issues, and I am looking forward to their remarks. I’ll now turn the proceedings over to Commission Vice Chairman Carolyn Bartholomew for her opening statement.
Welcome, again, to all of you and thank you for your interest in the Commission’s work.