The Memorandum of Understanding issued by the Governments of China and the US following their meeting in Washington earlier this week certainly doesn't lack for ambition.
It also has something of the flavor of the high-minded statements made by beauty pageant contestants who when asked to discuss their goals and aspirations talk about working for world peace and ending hunger.
The MOU states that cooperation between the US and China is "critical to enhancing energy security, combating climate change, protecting the environment and natural resources through pollution control and other measures."
Both countries said they intended to transition to a low-carbon economy, cooperate on capacity building, research and development and deploy climate-friendly technology.
Mutual goals include, but are not limited to energy conservation and efficiency; renewable energy; cleaner uses of coal and carbon capture and sequestration; sustainable transportation, including electric vehicles; clean air; clean water; and combating climate change.
The challenge for the US and China, to borrow from Jean-Luc Picard, commander of the Starship USS Enterprise NCC 1701-E, is "Make it so."
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