Jointly presented by chinadaily.com.cn 

Part I

Host: Welcome to China Daily Web Chat. I am your host, Hao Yan. Today we are honored to have Mr Liu Tongbo join us to share his knowledge about low-carbon cities. Mr Liu Tongbo is the chief representative of London Development Agency's Beijing Office.

Welcome, Mr Liu.

Liu Tongbo (Liu): Thank you for inviting.

Host: London and many Chinese cities have some similarities, . They are facing climate changes change which coming come with urbanizations. Mr Liu, How how can London overcome these challenges, while still achieving low-carbon goals?

Liu: Yes. Actually, London is the biggest city in the Europe. It has eight million (people in its) populations and faces similar problems as Beijing, such as over population, the high price of land, the shortage of the housing, fast-growing new immigrations. Maybe you know, since the European Union opened up its boarders, a lot of immigrants from the East Europe can come to UK to study or and also to work. In this case, London has to handle these those new problems.

Maybe you know, in 2012 London will organize the 30th Olympic Games, . And the purpose of the mayor is to host build up a green Olympic (Games) and a green London., and And also, by construction of the London Olympic village, it London will build a new green city in the Europe. If you visit the London Olympic village, you'll find something totally new – a green city – by using the most advanced low low-carbon technology. In the traditional London, now people live a normal lifeit is normal land. The purpose of the Olympic in Londonvillage is to develop the East London by using the most advanced green technology.

Host: London did has done lots of job before. It probably took decades. Last August, China launched a pilot low-carbon program in five provinces and eight cities. Which kind of issues will China come across? And is there any experience that China can learn from London?

Liu: Yes. I thing think China and London can share lot's a lot of experience. First of all, China could should learn from London in terms of low low-carbon technology and just to control the size of the city. Because now the fast development of Beijing, we have brought fourth Fourth ring Ring road, fifth Fifth ring Ring road, Sixth Ring road, and maybe a seventh ring road in next five years. It's like a pizza; it just grows up. All Also the cities, the central government, Beijing municipal government, all of the big banks and companies are just overcrowded together.

London has a 1,000-year history. , but sinceDuring the industrial revolution, London experienced very rapid development. In the earlier early 20th century, London is was the biggest city on the planet. That time is around 1900, which means before the First World War I. At that time, London has a (population of) one 1 million populations. But after almost 100 years, London now has eight 8 million population(people)s, among whichand 70 percent of the population is not born in London. They are immigrants, not only from the UK, but from all over the world. London is a real international city. Actually, there are two biggest immigrant cities on the planet: the first is London, and the other is New York. Only New York can compete with London in terms of the internationalization.

The policy of London is to control the size of the development and the development of Londonof the city,. and thenThey drew a so-called red circle. If you study the London map, The GLA (Great London Authority), which is a London government organization to coordinate environment, urban-planning and economy development with London boroughs (districts), actually. London has 32 boroughs, if my memory is good. . The The policy of GLA and the mayor of London are to control the development and the size of London, and keep the percentage of green space. That policyThose policies became a London law, . You cannot break the lawwhich one cannot breach. I think Tthis is one thing that London can share with Beijing. For example, if a new mayor comes to London, he/she cannot change the law.

In London, lots of urban plansurban planning is are not controlled by the mayor, . The boroughs – it is district if we compare to Chinese system. For example, if you want to build a new building, you need to apply at least one year before. And you cannot change the face and theor the structure of the new building. You have to apply for a permit, . It takeswhich may take one year to get the permit. The That permit is issued by the local council and the local experts. Without the permit, you cannot build constructions. This I think this is something Beijing can learn fromshare with London. We should have a cultural heritage expert committee to review all the new buildings projects to make sure all these buildings and projects are ecological, and also low-carbon and , the construction andis energy efficient.

Thank you.

Host: Apart from the huge immigrant population, London has a comprehensive and sophisticated public transportation system. In China, lots of large cities are also building some efficient public transportation. Is there anything experienceanything that China can learn from London's experience with on this?

Liu: Yes, of course. In the a city like London city, driving private cars is very expensive, because parking lots is are expensive. Parking in central London could be 10 pounds or 20 pounds per hour, which is 10 times more expensive than in Beijing. For an ordinary family, the only choice is to use the public system. And I think London has a very good city network, . This, as you may know, London's subway system was built 100 years ago, as one of the oldest in the world.

If you visit London subway, called tube, you will find the subway, made by 100 years ago, is very crowded and small. And some tubes made by 20 years ago is are much more modern. I think in this regard, China could share the experience of with Beijing. , Bbecause China's subway is quite advanced. Especially before since 2008, before the Beijing Olympic Gamess, China invested in a lot of new technologies, and highly sophisticated technological teams and engineers, and they built so many huge constructionsubway project.

To my knowledge, London has a some new plan to build a new cross-London underground railway, which (will go) from Southwestsouthwest of London to the Northeast northeast of London. Maybe you know the Hethrow International Airport, which is the busiest and biggest international airport, and London has to build this new line. The construction already start and London is also interesting interested in introducing China's technology and Chinese fund to ensure make sure this new line is could be the most advanced by absorbing some new technology and experience from Beijing.

Host: You mean the technology is originated from Chinese companycompanies?

Liu: Yes. Maybe you are surprised.

Host: Yes, I am.

Liu: Because China's railway constructions, such aslike Chinese high-speed train and Chinese tube, have are the most advanced technology now. Most of the tube in London was built 20 years ago, but what China did is since 2008, only five years ago, which means China used the most advanced technology from all over the world to ensure make sure the Beijing new metro line is are very efficient. I think the people from the Europe are impressed by Beijing tubes. More and more foreign companies are interested to to introduceintroducing Chinese way, and Chinese money, technology, and team to work in the Europe to build some new underground systems.

Liu Tongbo: London is interested in introducing Chinese technologies (II)