U.S.-China Biofuels Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding

On December 11, 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on biofuels cooperation.  The two countries agreed to work together on the scientific, technical, and policy aspects of biofuels development, production, and use.  These areas include biomass production and sustainability, conversion technologies, bio-based products, and rural development strategies.  

As two of the world’s largest consumers of oil, this MOU may help reduce each country’s dependence on imported oil, benefiting U.S. and Chinese consumers.  The MOU stands to benefit U.S. and Chinese agricultural producers as new markets and uses for agricultural commodities and their waste products may be found through increased cooperation, dialogue, exchanges, and projects facilitated by this MOU.  Safeguards will be put into place to protect any intellectual property that is developed due to greater collaborative efforts.

The United States and China plan to develop a work plan that may include, but is not limited to:

• Establishment of the methodology and index system for a biomass resource assessment suitable for conditions in both countries and the formulation of a unified assessment standard;
• Exchange of scientific and technical information, the development of biomass feedstock production, feedstock-to-biofuels conversion processes, and cellulosic ethanol technology;
• Technical information exchange on biofuels and bio-chemicals;
• Strategic studies on promoting agricultural development for biomass feedstock on a voluntary basis;
• Exchange of technical information on the rural development aspects of biofuels development in China and the United States; and
• Establishment of a bilateral dialogue on biofuels, focusing discussion on United States-China biofuels cooperation, capacity building, and information exchange.

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the NDRC’s Department of International Cooperation will establish a steering committee to annually review the work plan.  Other relevant U.S. or Chinese Government agencies or ministries will participate in activities under this MOU as needed.