Source: China Daily    Published: 2015-11-3

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, second right, and French President Francois Hollande, second left, on their way to attend the China-France Economy and Climate Summit at the Diaoyutai State Guest Hotel in Beijing Nov 3, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

China and France have many opportunities in green industry investment to combat climate change, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and French President François Hollande at the China-France Economy and Climate Summit on Tuesday.

"China and France may join hands in developing green industry and opening up the market in developing countries, which are now experiencing the hardships brought by economic slowdown and growth model upgrade," said Li.

According to the premier, nuclear power is a prominent area that the two countries can collaborate in.

"China`s nuclear power generating capacity, which has greatly increased in the past decades, will continue to grow in the future, representing great potential for cooperation between China and France," he said.

Hollande said China`s role is "essential" for any deal that might be reached at the Paris conference, which runs from November 30 to December 11.

"Both France and China are large countries," he said. "With the size of our economy and influence, the two countries both have great responsibility in addressing global issues including climate change".

Hollande has suggested the two sides can create innovative financial tools for the partnership in green industry in carbon emission, carbon trading, food, water, transportation and new energy.

China and France signed a joint statement on Monday reaffirming the importance of mobilizing climate finance to support low-carbon, climate-resilient development in developing countries, particularly the least developed ones, small island developing states and African countries.

Leaders of major Chinese and French enterprises shared their experiences and products in combating climate change at the summit.

Jérǒme Bedier, director-general of multinational French retailer Carrefour S.A.said his company strictly selects suppliers that use green production methods.

According to Zhang Lei, senior vice-president of Chinese water solution provider Poten Environ, her company has developed a cooling tower system that helps many factories in the northwestern parts of China reduce water consumption by up to 50 percent.