China's Ministry of Science and Technology and National Development and Reform Commission have jointly initiated The International S&T Cooperation Program on New and Renewable Energy, which involves such renewable energy and new energy as solar energy, wind energy, biomass energy, thermal energy, and natural gas hydrate.

In order to promote the smooth implementation of the plan, the two departments have arranged special fund, while attracting private capital for international cooperation in the field.

The departments say that the purpose of making this plan is carry out international cooperation on advanced renewable energy and new energy technology that is in great need in China to expand the channel for introducing advanced technology and promote the transfer of such technology from developed countries to developing countries and between developing countries, develop renewable energy industry, increase energy efficiency and effectively reduce the cost in using renewable energy, and build up a communication and coordination mechanism between the governments, enterprises and research institutions from China and other countries.

The plan says that China will focus on supporting the basic science and application technology of five major renewable energy areas, including solar power, biomass power, wind power, hydrogen energy and fuel cells, and natural gas hydrate development. In addition, it will stress cooperation on equipment design and manufacturing technology and the construction of international testing centers.