A fruitful exchange of views on China's energy situation, global markets and the evolution of the Energy Charter process took place with Mr. Xu Dingming, the Counsellor of the State Council (pictured). Later, the Secretary General had a detailed discussion with Mr. Wu Guihui, Chief Engineer of China's National Energy Administration, about the developments in global energy markets, within the Energy Charter constituency and in China. The two discussed concrete steps to increase cooperation with the aim to develop further China's involvement in the Energy Charter process.

While in Beijing, Amb. Mernier also met with Mr. Han Wenke, Director General of the Energy Research Institute of China's National Development and Reform Commission, Mr. Guo Jinping, General Council of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) - China's largest oil and gas producer and supplier and today a significant investor in 29 countries of the world - as well as Mr. Chen Liming, President of BP China. The Secretary General used the opportunity of his visit to China to visit the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, where he discussed the role of multilateral and regional organisations in Eurasia with Deputy Secretary General Gao Yusheng.