China and Europe have broad space for green cooperation as the green development concept of both sides is highly compatible, a senior official said.

"With the continuous, deepening consensus between China and Europe for green economic development, the establishment of a green cooperation partnership between the two sides has become a new driving force and a highlight of advancing China-EU cooperation," said Shao Ning, a former vice-director of the Financial and Economic Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

There is great potential for promoting green innovation and development for SMEs.

Shao Ning, former vice-director of the Financial and Economic Committee, the National People’s Congress

China and the European Union have always been important economic and trade partners of each other, said Shao.

He made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the first Sino-European Green and Innovative Development Conference, which kicked off in Jiangmen, a Pearl River Delta city in South China's Guangdong province, on Friday.

The event has provided a platform for expanding exchanges and cooperation on green economic development and promoting the high-quality development of small and medium-sized enterprises from both sides.

China and Europe have a large number of SMEs, strong development vitality and active innovation, which are important in green technology innovation, said Shao.

"There is great potential for promoting green innovation and development for SMEs," he added.

To achieve green innovation and development, government departments, enterprises, associations and service institutions need to make collaborative efforts and work together, Shao said.

Shao, also president of China International Cooperation Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, said his association will continue to play a bridge role to further promote the agglomeration, green transition and internationalization of SMEs in the months to come.

To address climate change and achieve sustainable development, green and low-carbon development has been incorporated into development strategies of more countries in recent years, and has become a consensus in the international community, Shao said.

"China attaches great importance to green and sustainable development," he added.

Green energy is also a new and important area for cooperation between China and Europe, said Shao.

Relevant industries of China and the EU have their advantages and complementary advantages of the industries of both sides have built a solid foundation for green energy cooperation.

"For example, the scale effect of China's photovoltaic industry is significant and can help reduce the cost of PV power generation in Europe," he said.

Meanwhile, European companies have a first-mover advantage in areas including hydrogen energy. Therefore, Sino-EU cooperation can provide sufficient scenarios and opportunities for European energy transformation technology, added Shao.

Liu Lihua, deputy director of the Economic Committee of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and former vice-minister of industry and information technology, said green development is not only a key strategy to address climate and environmental issues, but also a panacea for promoting steady economic development and driving continuous industrial upgrading in the post-COVID-19 era.

"China and Europe have conducted fruitful cooperation in the areas of green energy, manufacturing and services, playing a role in actively promoting global economic recovery and sustainable development," he said.

The construction of the Sino-Europe (Jiangmen) SME International Cooperation Zone has provided a good reference and carrier for China-EU green cooperation, Liu said.

Chen Anming, Party secretary of Jiangmen, said his city has extensive connections and close cooperation with European countries.

"In recent years, Jiangmen has taken the initiative to develop a green economy, cultivate green technological advantages and achieve new results in implementing the concept of green development," he said.

Chen said Jiangmen would actively strengthen cooperation with European countries in green technology and deepen the integration of green industries to help build the city into a new window for Guangdong and even the entire country's cooperation with Europe in the coming years.

zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn