In a bid to provide practical solutions to the threat of climate change, Australia's Curtin University of Technology signed an agreement on Monday with Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) to establish a new laboratory for research into new energy technologies.

The result of this agreement, the Joint Research Laboratory for Coal and Biomass Utilisation (JRL), will combine the research capabilities of both Curtin and HUST to develop new low-emission energy technologies.

According to Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeanette Hacket, this is a great opportunity for Curtin, Western Australia and Australia-China relations.

"Through this agreement, Curtin and HUST will further strengthen their already impressive capabilities in these research areas," Hacket said.

"As evidence continues to mount concerning the real threat posed by climate change, it is important that we explore the possibility of harnessing new energy sources, as well as reducing the carbon emissions from existing energy sources.

"This joint venture will combine the resources of the largest university in Western Australia with the eighth highest ranking university in China. "It will unite the State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion at HUST with the Curtin Centre for Advanced Energy Science and Engineering, providing synergies and real opportunities for innovation."

(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2009)