Mr. Chen Lei, Minister of Water Resources met Madam Elizabeth Truss, State Secretary of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of UK, and two sides exchanged ideas on further strengthening bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the field of water resources.

Chen Lei pointed out that currently China and UK was building up a comprehensive strategic partnership in the 21st Century to jointly open the lasting, developing and win-win China-UK relationship. Two countries had a long history of water cooperation with remarkable results, broad fields and potential space. China hoped to further promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the field of water resources and carry out political and technical discussions on issues with mutual interests to jointly improve the level of water resources management and make greater contribution for the development of bilateral relationship.

State Secretary Truss highly appreciated the achievements of water resources management by China, and agreed on the cooperation proposals raised by Minister Chen Lei. She introduced the UK practices in the fields of water resources management, urban water supply, water permit, sewage treatment, flood insurance and other aspects. She stated that two countries had different accomplishments in the field of water resources management and were worth learning from each other. Two sides had great cooperation potential, especially in the field of sponge city construction, and could further develop exchanges and cooperation between two governments and enterprises.

Officials from relevant departments of the Ministry also attended the meeting.