An environmental and energy technology office funded by the United States government was set up on Monday in Beijing with the aim of helping China's environmental protection industry.

The Environmental and Energy Technology Office (ETO), is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce and operated by the University of Missouri's Institute of Environmental and Energy Technologies (ENTECH).

"The office will focus on introducing to China advanced technologies from the United States in the fields of environmental protection and energy efficiency, with a special emphasis on the water sector," said Thomas Clevenger, director of ENTECH, adding it is the first such office to be established outside of the United States.

According to Clevenger, the ETO will hold seminars, lectures and joint trade show across China on environmental and energy technologies, in such fields as waste water treatment, solid waste treatment, sterilization and environmental building maintenance.

The ETO will also provide information and training programs for China's environmental and energy personnel, said Clevenger.

China has announced plans to build a resource efficient and environment-friendly society.

To achieve these goals, China needs to learn advanced technologies and experiences in such fields from other countries, said an official with the State Environmental Protection Administration of China (SEPA).

He expressed the hope that the ETO will serve as a bridge to strengthen China-U.S. cooperation in environmental protection and energy efficiency.

Source: Xinhua