UK Energy and Climate Secretary Chris Huhne brought high-level British representatives to the first Sino-UK Energy Dialogue from Nov. 8 to 10.

The dialogue was hosted by Chinese Energy Minister Zhang Guobao. The meeting was viewed as an important platform to ensure energy market stability and to promote business opportunities in low-carbon technology.

For Huhne, the key objectives were to strengthen UK and China energy collaboration and engagement in a cost-effective way.

Both China and the UK have already developed productive cooperation in the energy field through business, industry, academics and government. The new dialogue is recognition that there's potential to enhance the relationship.

"Working together on oil, gas and low-carbon technologies can help us achieve our common goals: security of energy supply and a stable climate system, and this dialogue will help us to strengthen collaboration between our countries," Huhne said.

He went on to stress that cooperation on energy can bring real economic opportunities.

"Not just in low-carbon energy, but also in the investment and production of fossil fuels that we need over the next decades," Huhne said. "By working together we stand to benefit from bringing forward new energy technologies. In a very real sense, we can be partners for growth."

At the dialogue, UK and Chinese governments and businesses were expected to discuss a framework to strengthen cooperation on all upstream and downstream energy sectors – enabling both sides to work together to secure energy supply and a stable climate system. Huhne's 3-day visit to Beijing is also a part of the British Prime Minister's largest ever ministerial delegation attending the UK-China Summit and Economic and Financial Dialogue.

Other members of the Prime Minister Cameron's senior team at the summit included Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Secretary of State for Business Vince Cable, and Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove.

The British Embassy said this visit demonstrates the breadth and depth of the UK's strategic, comprehensive relationship with China.

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