Germany, China take lead in environmental policies

Strong economic ties drive the Sino-German bilateral partnership. Energy, environment and climate change issues remain at the heart of economic relations.

In a joint communiqu by Chancellor Angela Merkel and Premier Wen Jiabao in 2010 as well as during the first Sino-German Government Consultations in June 2011, energy, environment and climate issues were identified as a priority for future cooperation.

Both countries implemented structural changes towards a greener economy, although under different conditions and from a different level of development.