On September 21, 2011, Vice Premier Li Keqiang met with a delegation headed by U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on China-U.S. energy cooperation.

During the meeting, Li said that as the world's major energy producers and consumers, China and the United States enjoy broad consensus in maintaining the stability of global energy market. As the process of world economic recovery is slow and tortuous with turbulence in the international bulk commodity and financial markets, expanding China-U.S. pragmatic cooperation in the energy sector will not only boost bilateral relations, but also promote the stable growth of the world economy, Li said.

Praising the sound momentum of China-U.S. energy cooperation, Li said China is committed to building a safe, stable, clean and economical modern energy industry during its 12th Five Year Plan period (2011-2016) and the U.S. has also proposed its blueprint for future energy security. "The two countries should seize opportunities to define the direction and priorities for future cooperation, set up a long-term cooperation mechanism and facilitate bilateral cooperation in researching clean and renewable energy, as well as advanced energy technology to achieve more tangible outcomes," he said.

In response, Chu said improving U.S.-China energy cooperation is in the interest of both sides. The United States hopes to work closely with China to promote bilateral multi-level energy cooperation between governments and enterprises, Chu said.

Chief of the National Energy Administration Liu Tienan, U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke and other officials were present at the meeting.