The European Commission and China are to co-operate on water protection against pollution, wastage and climate change.

They have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement joint priorities in the water sector and establish a Water Policy Dialogue.

The co-operation between the EU and the Ministry of Water will give political steer to the Chinese Europe Water Platform, covering a number of areas such as developing and enforcing legislation to protect water, integrated water resources management, dealing with water disasters and adaptation to climate change.

EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella said: “We are demonstrating our commitment to jointly address common water challenges. Water is the source of life. Climate change, pollution, increasing demand and wastage have put pressures like never before. We are showing that a global problem needs global action.”