2014年CRI 中美战略与经济对话启动 默克尔在清华大学开讲可持续发展（在线收听）

This year's Strategic and Economic Dialogue between China and the United States is set to get underway later on today here in Beijing.

This year's agenda has over 60 agenda items, including maritime disputes, cyber security, a bilateral investment treaty and the impact of US monetary policy.

The two sides are also expected to touch on issues including new energy and climate change.

One day ahead of the annual Dialogue, companies and research institutes from the two countries have signed deals on eight joint projects dealing with climate change.

The projects address carbon capture, usage and storage, hydrofluorocarbon reduction, and the move toward low-carbon cities and a low-carbon model for the cement industry.

Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel is calling on Germany and China to take the lead in establishing a partnership to promote sustainable development.

Merkel made the remarks in a speech at Tsinghua University.

She said China and Germany have established a partnership on urbanization aimed at making cities more sustainable through new urban construction plans, intelligent transportation systems, energy-saving buildings and better sewage treatment.

Merkel attended the launch ceremony of a China-Germany electric vehicle charging project after the speech.