Industry groups from China, Houston ink energy pact

China's leading industrial organization and the largest chamber of commerce in the US city of Houston, Texas, signed a memorandum of understanding to forge a strategic cooperative relationship in the energy sector on Thursday.

About 30 high-level government and business leaders, led by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, were welcomed by the Greater Houston Partnership.

"I think this is a good start for the relationship. This is the first MOU we ever signed with a city," said Pang Guanglian, a member of the federation's executive board.