General Motors China signed an agreement on November 14 with the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) to jointly conduct research for important environmental protection projects in China.

The two sides will organize a team of researchers to head SEPA projects on auto emission control in China. GM will also provide technical support and guidance and invite Chinese scholars and engineers for visits or technical training.

Programs proposed for 1999-2000 are a study of the plan on auto pollution regulations in China, and a white paper on the status of auto pollution in China.

GM China also signed agreements on November 14 with five Chinese universities and research institutions to jointly research on materials and tribology.

The deals with Qinghua University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Jilin University of Technology and the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, will entitle them to set up a technology consortium for materials and tribology research.

Since 1996, GM has channeled more than 850,000 US dollars into 27 cooperative projects with leading Chinese academic and research institutes in the area of science and technology. Projects range from environmental protection studies to the development of crash test dummies to meet the requirements for the Chinese market.

GM is the world's largest auto manufacturer. So far, it has invested nearly two billion US dollars in setting up four joint ventures and a wholly owned parts distribution center in China. (Xinhua)