USTB Hosts the 12th Cross-Strait Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Forum

 

From September 9-10 the 12^th Cross-Strait Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Forum was held at USTB. Attending were 11 members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, one member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 52 guests from Taiwan, as well as over 180 other experts and scholars. The theme of the forum was “Energy Revolution and Green Economy” and was held under the authority of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Development, Taiwan Sustainable Energy Research Foundation and USTB.

         On the morning of the 10 the opening ceremony was held at USTB. Amongst those in attendance were Director Peng Suping from the Energy and Mining Department of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Deputy Secretary General Guo Guangsheng of the Beijing Municipal Committee, President Zhang Xinxin of USTB, President Ma Lianxiang of Qingdao University of Science, Director Jian Youxin of the Taiwan Foundation for Sustainable Energy, and Minister Xie Kechang. The opening ceremony was presided over by USTB Vice President Wang Ge.

         Academician Xu Kuangdi, former Vice Chairman of the CPPCC and honorary Chairman of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, gave his thanks to the assembled forum. He discussed how climate change was an issue that directly affected people’s well-being. For over 10 years people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have collaborated on this issue. The goal has been to slow down climate change, ensure clean energy, and to promote a clean environment for the future. He concluded by expressing his hope that the next generation would also take up the fight to reverse climate change.

         Academician Peng Shuping from the Chinese Academy of Engineering delivered the first speech, discussing how the Academy function as a high-level think tank that served the nation in issues of energy, metallurgy, and mining in order to help China progress. He continued by praising the joint work carried out across the Strait for over 10 years, highlighting the discoveries and progress that had been made. Through dialogues and cooperation both sides had seen experts pursue “green development” that promoted energy conservation and sustainable development.

         Deputy Secretary General Guo Guangsheng briefed the audience on the economic and social development of Beijing. He spoke of how the issue of climate change was becoming a topical issue around the world. With the matter of the earth facing a changing climate, Beijing attached great importance to energy sustainability and green development, in order to see an environmentally friendly means of developing China’s capitol. Furthermore Beijing would continue to adhere to the “four centers” plan in order to ensure continued reforms. He concluded by expressing his hope that the assembled scholars would help to further contribute to Beijing’s green development.

         On behalf of USTB President Zhang Xinxin warmly welcomed the assembled guests from both sides of the Strait. He began by giving a brief overview of USTB’s history, and then moved on to describe how as industrialization had become such an integral part of people’s lives, the issue of the environment was also growing in importance around the world. President Zhang described how in recent years USTB had made great strides in researching “green development” in areas of energy, sustainability, and developing new materials, and how the university’s achievements had been noted internationally. He then spoke of how the forum was an opportunity for the assembled scholars to broaden their horizons, discuss pertinent issues, and positively contribute to future development. Finally, the forum was a good opportunity to promote cross-strait relations while at the same time addressing issues of green development and energy sustainability.

         President Ma Lianxiang speech revolved around the word “Taiwan”. He pointed out how the forum was now in its 12^th iteration, and how scholars had used the forum to make great progress. Academics on both sides had engaged in innovative practices, and the progress made by Taiwanese colleagues was most notable. He concluded by expressing his happiness at seeing so many young faces in the crowd, as the next generation was integral to continuing the fight against climate change. He ended by talking about his hopes that cooperation across the strait would continue into the future.

         Director Jian Youxin shared his “three views”. First, that the forum was auspicious as its “date” coincided with the signing of the Paris Accords at the United Nations and the agreement the previous year between the USA and China to cooperate on the issue of climate change. Second, that the forum benefited from the “geography” at the center; i.e. that in Beijing as the capitol of China, there was also a movement to promote green development. Third, that “people” were at the heart of issue, and that the good relationships engendered by the forum were necessary for future development.

         Academician Xie Kechang discussed the imagery from the work of Taiwan’s Sheng Yan. He discussed the importance of the forum in promoting relations, cooperation on research, and future sustainability. He encouraged his colleagues to put their minds to the concepts of “national consciousness”, “ecological faith”, and “green development”. He pointed out that the forum would help promote aspects of an energy revolution that promoted energy sustainability, emissions reduction, and social progress. Finally he said he hoped that the exchanges between his colleagues would help further spur this “energy revolution”.

         Also present at the opening ceremony were Liu Jin, Director of the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Department of the Ministry of Education, Mr Ge Shurong, President of the China University of Mining and Technology, Huang Kan, member of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, Li Changping, deputy head of the Beijing Haidian District, Zhang Qingrui, Vice President of Taiwan University, Taiwan Institute of Comprehensive Research Long Wu Ziyi, as well as others from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Ministry of Education, and other leaders and guests. Several representatives from USTB were also present.

         After the opening ceremony, 26 speakers from each side of the strait delivered their reports. Professor Xie Kechang delivered the keynote speech entitled "Energy Revolution and Modern Energy System Construction". Director Jian Youxin gave a speech titled “Trends and Prospects for Renewable Energy Development". President Zhang Xinxin’s speech was "Energy Saving and Emission Reduction in Regional Economy". Professor Wu Zaiyi’s presentation was called “Evaluation of Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction in Taiwan". President Ma Lianxiang spoke on “Energy Saving and Emission Reduction in the Chemical Industry”. And Professor Li Yuming delivered an address on “Construction of Industrial Energy Management System". Experts also discussed topics concerning the “green revolution”, energy reduction and sustainability, environmental preservation, industrial energy conservation, biomass technology, power plant construction, carbon emissions, and other issues as well.

         On September 11 at the closing ceremony, Academician Xie Kechang summarized the findings of the forum, and Director Jian Youxin delivered the closing remarks. The next session will be organized by Zhang Qingrui of Taiwan University, who issued an invitation to the assembly. President Zhang Xinxin concluded by warmly thanking the guests for their participation in the forum.

         Before the opening of the forum, from September 6-9 the 2016 Cross-strait Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Development Forum Industry Summit was held. Accompanying USTB President Zhang Xinxin, guests visited the Beiqi Group New Energy Vehicle Experience Center, Beijing Shenwu Environmental Energy Technology Group Co., Ltd., Shenhua Group Beijing Low Carbon Clean Energy Research Institute, Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, Shougang Company and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Guests were able to speak with experts and technicians to learn of their valuable experience and provided their own suggestions.

         On September 9 the Forum Council met at USTB to discuss the agenda and determine the location of the next forum to be held in Taiwan. Representatives from Qingdao University reported on the progress of the construction of the Climate Change and Energy Sustainable Development Institute.

         The Cross-Strait Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Forum originally began in 2005 as the “Cross-strait Energy and Environment Sustainable Development Seminar” and was held at Taiwan Central University in its first session. In October 2009 it changed its name to the current one. The forum has since become an independent platform for scholars and experts to meet and discuss issues concerning climate change. It is held to promote the mission of Chairman Xi Jinping to inspire an energy revolution that is environmentally friendly and sustainable.

 

Uploaded：2016-09-11 09:47:19

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