TOKYO: Japan and China held a public-private forum meeting on energy saving and the environment Sunday, confirming cooperation in many projects.

The Tokyo meeting brought together 800 officials of Japanese and Chinese government bodies, companies including Panasonic Corp. and other organizations.

Participants discussed technological and other problems that must be resolved to expand the use of electric vehicles, hydrogen utilization as an energy source and the promotion of recycling.

Local governments and private entities of the two countries concluded 26 memorandums of cooperation.

"Expectations are high that Japan and China will tackle global issues," Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshi Kajiyama said.

Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi warned that 90 percent of all beaches around the world will be lost if global warming is left unattended.

China will take tax and fiscal measures to boost the development of green industries, Chinese National Development and Reform Commission deputy head Zhang Yong said, stressing eagerness to advance his country's Belt and Road initiative.

Among the participating organizations, Marubeni Corp. and a Chinese chemical maker agreed to start experiments on hydrogen utilization.

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and Mizuho Bank will set up frameworks of information exchanges with their respective Chinese partners.

The forum started in 2006. This year's meeting was the 16th of its kind.

Tokyo and Beijing increasingly regard stronger cooperation in energy saving as a key issue ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Japan next spring.

JIJI Press