WASHINGTON - On May 23, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Minister Zhang Guobao, vice chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), which will launch the U.S. – China Energy Policy Dialogue. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the Energy Policy Dialogue will strengthen energy-related interactions between the two countries. The MOU follows Abraham's meeting in Beijing with NDRC chairman Ma Kai in January.

The United States and China currently are engaged in bilateral collaboration in high-energy nuclear physics, fossil energy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy and energy information exchanges. According to the DOE, some active discussions on issues such as energy security and regulatory reform are expected under the Energy Policy Dialogue.

- compiled by J.J. Siegel

Publication date: 05/31/2004