Chicago-China Green Building and Technology Summit opened in Chicago Tuesday to discuss issues related to green building and technology with the participation of business and governmental experts from the United States and China.

In his opening remarks, Bill Spence, co-chair of the China Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, said, "today's summit explores sustainable building practices, energy efficiency retrofitting and the economics and politics of green building initiatives. We are here to engage in these discussions and work toward new business partners and for new business opportunities."

Speaking on behalf of Chicago's mayor Richard M. Daley, Rita Athas, president of World Business Chicago, said environmental issues had long been a priority for Chicago and Shanghai.

"This summit brings together Chicago and China-based corporations, educational institutions and governments, and represents another important step forward in sharing best practices and initiating new projects and partnerships."

Suzanne Malec-McKenna, commissioner of Department of Environment at City of Chicago, gave an overview of "Chicago Climate Action Plan" to the audience. She said China was doing so many wonderful things and there was lot for the United States and China to learn from each other.

Chu Maoming, deputy consul general from the Chinese Consulate in Chicago, said China and the United States had reached an agreement and announced the establishment of the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center.

Daniel Birns, officer of technology development at Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy of U.S. Department of Energy, delivered a lunch keynote speech at the summit.

He said the newly announced U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center would facilitate joint research and development of clean energy technologies by teams of scientists and engineers from both countries, as well as serve as a clearinghouse to help researchers in each country.

Other green building and technology experts from both sides presented the breakthroughs in their green projects. A 30-people delegation from Shanghai also attended the summit.

Business-to-Business breakout and matchmaking sessions were held in the afternoon to help connect participants with "green" industry experts and providers of products, services and capital in the United States and China.

The summit was sponsored by the China Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International. Other sponsors include Motorola, Exelon, Freeborn & Peters LLP, Monogram Group and E. Harrington Global.