Office of Public Affairs
DOT 40-09
Contact: Bill Adams, Tel.: (202) 366-4570
Monday, March 30, 2009
U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Signs a Cooperative Agreement with
the Chinese on the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood joined
China’s Minister of Transport Li Shenglin today in a historical signing of
an agreement to cooperate on the safe transportation of hazardous
materials.
Signing the agreement, Secretary LaHood said that both nations’ industries
– including manufacturing, agriculture, and medical research – need
regular access to certain types of dangerous materials to conduct
business.
“Chinese businesses ship billions of dollars worth of trade goods around
the world each year, including to the United States,” said Secretary
LaHood. “We are eager to work together to make sure these items are
transported safely. And I look forward to participating in this important
mission.”
Following a joint Transportation Forum held in Beijing last December to
address transportation issues including safety, the agreement was shaped
to help ensure the safe transport of materials across all modes of
transportation – from seaports and aviation to rail and highway.
The U.S.–China Cooperative Project Arrangement on the Safe Transport of
Dangerous Goods enables the countries to:
• Develop and strengthen avenues of communication concerning the safe
transport of dangerous goods;
• Exchange and cooperate in the development of technical information to
support regulatory development;
• Improve harmonization and increase safety by implementing international
regulations developed by international forums;
• Cooperate on enforcement and investigative actions to improve dangerous
goods transport safety, to include exchange of incident and violation
data; and
• Organize training activities to strengthen the capabilities of
managerial and technical personnel.
As both nations invest billions of dollars in transportation
infrastructure through economic stimulus plans, Secretary LaHood noted
that the Dangerous Goods agreement is a step forward on improving
transportation’s role in fostering a healthy climate for commerce and
economic growth, while creating good jobs for both U.S. and Chinese
citizens.
The signing took place at the U.S. Department of Transportation. The next
Transportation Forum between the two nations will be held at the end of
this year in Washington, D.C.