From 28th Feb, 2011 to 6th Mar, 2011, the Sino-German Scientific Seminar, supported by The Sino-German Center for Research Promotion, was hosted by the Institute of Urban Environment and IfaS in Xiamen. More than 80 scholars, experts, government officials, businesspersons and media people attended, including representatives from the Fujian Government, Xiamen Government, Rheinland-Pfalz Environment Department, Sino-German Center for Research Promotion, DFG, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Tianjin University, Xiamen University, Taiwan University, University of Applied Sciences Trier, Fachhochschule Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, University Rostock, Mercedes Benz, Xiamen Daily and Strait Newspaper. Mr. Chonggeng Ye, the deputy mayor of Xiamen, gave the welcome speech.

The topical subject of this seminar was “Technology, Economics and Policy of Urban Waste Energy Utilization under Climate Change”. It discussed waste recycling in the urbanization process and focused on technological problems, economic returns, industry precinct, space management and public awareness. After the seminar, participants visited Gutian Base of Scientific Research Innovation of Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The Chinese Government has promised that the carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP will decrease 40%-45% by 2020, compared to 2005 levels. This target has focused attention on the effectiveness of urban solid waste management, a topic which has been studied and put into practice in many German cities. Both Chinese and German experts requested further cooperation during this seminar.

This seminar continued the 21-year affiliation between Fujian province and Rheinland-Pfalz, and marked a new affiliation between Xiamen and Trier, which represents a milestone in science, technology, and education cooperation between the two cities.