Switzerland and China are strengthening their cooperation on climate change and training

Since 2009, Switzerland has been working with the People's Republic of China on the management of environmental risks and climate adaptation strategies, and has been providing advice on climate legislation.

On 24 May 2013, the SDC and China's National Development and Reform Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of climate change. With this text, Switzerland is expressing its support for air pollution control and resource-efficient development, on the one hand, and for a better understanding of the effects of climate change and adaptation measures, on the other hand.

Cooperation and policy dialogue with China on climate change and environmental issues will thus take place within a stronger framework negotiated between the two parties. In mitigating the risks linked to climate change, the SDC is contributing to the reduction of poverty in China.

Next phase of cooperation between the SDC and the China Training Centre for Senior Personnel Management Officials (CTCSPMO)
The focus of the next phase of cooperation between the SDC and CTCSPMO, a personnel management training centre for senior officials, will be on sustainable development. Since 1994, the SDC has been working together with CTCSPMO to support the Chinese authorities to better identify the problem of regional disparities and to achieve a better balance between the social and economic aspects of development.

With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on 24 May 2013, the two parties undertake to pursue and to conclude the negotiations currently under way to ensure that the next phase of this cooperation will focus more specifically on the major environmental challenges while maintaining an emphasis on China's poorer provinces. The conclusion of the new agreement is scheduled for the autumn of 2013.