Tal
CENTEC, Peking 19 juni 2007
Sten Tolgfors, Handelsminister

Tal vid invigningen av CENTEC i Peking (på engelska)

- Check against delivery -

Ladies and gentlemen,

I'm happy to inaugurate the establishment of the Swedish Environmental Technology Centre here at the Swedish Embassy in Beijing. The center will support Swedish environmental technology companies to enter the Chinese market. World leading companies such as Envac and Purac are present and already well established in China. (My hope is that more Swedish technology solutions will be made available on the Chinese market.)

The environmental co-operation is not only about technology. It is also about sharing experiences and best practices on environmental protection legislation and economic regulatory incentives, gained from decades of environmental efforts.

China's transition from a rural to industrial society is nothing less than stunning. Just looking at the migration from the countryside to cities, in absolute terms, China is undergoing the largest rural-urban transition the world has ever seen. It is estimated that 150 to 200 million people have migrated over the past two decades. An average of 12 to 16 million new migrants are expected every year if the current trend continues.

This migration flows and the size of its population calls for abroad environmental reform agenda.

16 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are Chinese. The environmental cost has been estimated by some to 3 per cent of GDP. Others claim it to be as large as the economic growth, every year.

The Chinese government has started to act, and to search for international co-operation in the environmental field. Effective use of resources promotes economic growth as well as the environment. It also promotes the health and well being of the Chinese people.

Combating climate change is probably the greatest challenge undertaking confronting mankind during this century. China is a mayor - and will be - the main contributor to green house gas emissions in the world.

Last week when Chairman Ma Kai of NDRC launched the national climate program. Discussions were held in Stockholm last Sunday between president Hu Jintao and the Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt about a closer environmental technology co-operation between our countries. Also, an important Memorandum of Understanding on environmental cooperation was signed.

Only a week after the discussions in Stockholm, the landmark of opening the center is achieved. This center will improve the visibility Swedish Environmental Technology solutions. It is financed by Sida - the Swedish development agency - for a three-year period and will employ three people.

Vice-minister Wu Xiaoqing, I appreciate the support you show by participating in the ceremony here today. We hope that the new Center will add a new dimension to our co-operation between our countries. I hope that it can add value to the Swedish participation at the Expo 2010 in Shanghai with it's theme "Better City, better life" and focus on sustainable urban solutions. Long standing co-operation on the "sustainable city" concept.

To conclude, it is my whish that this center will contribute to a sustainable development in China through the sharing of Swedish knowledge and Swedish technical solutions. Thank you , vice-minister, for your support. I would also like to say thank you to all the companies who are here today, who will collaborate with the center.