U.S. & China: Building a Positive, Cooperative, and Comprehensive Relationship

During the state visit of President Hu Jintao to Washington, D.C., President Obama and President Hu highlighted specific means to cooperate on a variety of global and bilateral challenges, including the following:
 
Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security
 
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Chairman Chen Qiufa of the China Atomic Energy Authority signed a government-to-government agreement establishing a Center of Excellence in China to promote effective nuclear security and safeguards. During the historic Nuclear Security Summit in Washington in April of 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed to establish a “Center of Excellence” on nuclear security to help support the global effort to secure vulnerable nuclear material around the world. This agreement paves the way for DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration and the Department of Defense to work with our partners in China to develop a center that will provide a central site for training in all aspects of nuclear security. It will serve as a forum for exchanging technical information, sharing best practices, developing training courses, and promoting technical collaborations that will enhance nuclear security in China and throughout Asia. It will also help meet the training needs for China’s expanding nuclear sector and promote nuclear security best practices throughout the region.  
For more information view the attached fact sheet and click HERE (nnsa.energy.gov/mediaroom/pressreleases/chinacenterofexcellence01.19.11) .
 
Cooperation on Climate Change, Clean Energy and the Environment
 
President Obama and President Hu applauded efforts to implement the provisions of the Cancun agreements that build on the Copenhagen Accord; welcomed enhanced cooperation on clean energy and announced joint work plans for the newly established research consortia under the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center in building efficiency, clean coal, and clean vehicles; signed an agreement with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to promote cooperation in a range of energy, biological, and environmental sciences; started negotiations on a U.S.-China Eco-City Initiative to integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy into city design and operation in our two countries; signed a statement of intent to share data on electric vehicle demonstrations in Los Angeles and Shanghai; and announced two new EcoPartnerships on energy efficiency and clean electricity.  
For more information view the attached fact sheet and click HERE (www.pi.energy.gov/documents/USChinaCleanEnergy.PDF> and HERE <www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/01/154875.htm) .
 
Science and Technology Cooperation
 
The United States and China extended the U.S.-China Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology,  one of the longest standing agreements between our two countries.  Since it was first signed in 1979, the agreement has fostered exchanges to advance cooperative research in a diverse array of fields, including fisheries, earth and atmospheric sciences, basic research in physics and chemistry, a variety of energy-related areas, agriculture, civil industrial technology, geology, health, and disaster research.
For more information view the attached fact sheet.
 
Education
 
First Lady Michelle Obama hosted an event at Howard University to highlight educational exchanges between our two countries and announce progress on the 100,000 Strong Initiative.  President Obama launched the initiative in November 2009 to reach the goal of encouraging 100,000 American students to study in China.
For more information click HERE (www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/19/first-lady-michelle-obama-urges-american-youth-strengthen-us-china-ties) .
 
Health
 
To promote collaboration between our two countries on health issues, the United States and China announced their intention to establish a public private partnership on healthcare. Working collaboratively with the private sector, the Partnership will support jointly agreed upon activities, including a Healthcare Professional Personnel Exchange Program, studies, consultancies, training, pilot projects, and related project development.
For more information click HERE (www.ustda.gov/news/pressreleases/2011/EastAsiaEurasia/China/USChinaHCP_011911.asp)   and HERE (www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/01/20110119a.html) .
 
Subnational Cooperation and Dialogue
 
To build dialogue and cooperation at the subnational level, the United States and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the establishment of a U.S.-China Governors Forum.  Convened by the National Governors Association and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the forum will serve as a platform to promote peer-to-peer exchanges between U.S. Governors and Chinese provincial Party Secretaries and Governors on topics of mutual concern such as trade and investment, energy and the environment, tourism, and education.
For more information click HERE (www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/01/154874.htm) .
 
Customs Training Center
 
As part of our shared commitment to preventing nuclear smuggling, Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman and Vice Minister Sun Yibiao of the General Administration of China Customs will sign a memorandum of understanding that paves the way for the establishment of a radiation detection training center in Qinhuangdao, China. Under the agreement, the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration will provide radiation detection equipment and support the development of training materials for use at the Qinhuangdao Training Center. The radiation detection training facility at the Qinhuangdao Training Center will be the first of its kind in the region.
For more information view the attached fact sheet and click HERE (nnsa.energy.gov/mediaroom/pressreleases/chinaborderportsecurity01.19.11) .
 
Chinese Garden
 
The United States and China intend to work together to construct a Classical Chinese Garden on the grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.  The garden will be a venue for cultural events to enhance the traditional friendship between our two peoples.
For more information click HERE (www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/01/154947.htm) .