” Not only did we learn more about different approaches to CO2 reduction and energy efficient reconstruction of buildings, we also gained valuable insights into the social environment and day-to-day life” stated Feng Zuoku, vice president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). He was the head of a delegation of Chinese parliamentarians who visited Germany at the Invitation of the Hanns Seidel Foundation from June 28th to July 5th 2009. The participants were delegates to the Chinese People's Congresses from six Chinese provinces. The main topic of the delegation with stopovers in Berlin, Görlitz, Dresden and Munich was environmental protection with a focus on energy efficient building techniques, but also provided opportunities for political talks with German parliamentarians.

At the German Federal Parliament the Chinese participants met Johannes Pflug (SPD), head of the German-Chinese Parliamentary Group and its members Erich G. Fritz (CDU / CSU), Detlef Dzembritzki (SPD) and Dr. Joachim Pfeiffer (CDU / CSU). Main subjects discussed at this get-together were recent developments in China and the upcoming federal elections in Germany .

The political framework of environmental protection as well as specific policies and measures were the focal points during a visit to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. A central aspect of the ensuing discussion was the principle of sustainable development. At the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs the challenges of energy efficient building and climate protection were central aspects during the meeting, with a focus on energy saving regulations and government-funded supportive measures.

The delegation also traveled to the city of Görlitz , the largest historical monument in Germany as it incorporates almost the entire city center. Dipl.-Ing. Lutz Penske, head of the Office for Urban Planning and Building Regulations elaborated the exceptional concept of their urban community. The main objective is to restore and preserve the old town of Görlitz its original form while updating and modernizing the buildings and infrastructure. In this they closely collaborate with their partner city Zgorzelec. The Chinese participants were especially impressed by the cross border cooperation in terms of administration and urban planning – a good example of the concept of the European Union applied in daily life. But in a tour through the impressive city center led by Andreas Bednarek, the art historian also pointed out there are various problems in the “rehabilitation” of the old town of Görlitz, as a lot of young people move to bigger cities.

In Dresden Wolfgang Socher, head of the Department of Urban Ecology informed the participants about progresses in the field of environmental protection, especially in regard to climate change and energy efficiency. In Dresden , a former heavily polluted industrial area, the amount of CO2 was reduced trough various measures while also trying to adapt to changing climate, for in rainwater management. While the industrial pollution in Dresden has greatly decreased, according to Mr. Socher the next step will be to further increase people's knowledge of how their behavior and consumption patterns influence the ecosystem. “This will be the topic in the future,” Mr. Socher emphasized.

At the Bavarian Business Association the delegation met Dr. Peter Pfleger and Matthias Werner Bombies Ultsch, who talked about the Bavarian Environmental Pact, a unique cooperation between government and industry in the field of environmental protection. To become a member of the Pact, companies have to implement environmental protection measures that exceed the legally defined standard. Companies readily joined because being able to carry the seal of the Bavarian Environmental Pact on the website and products proved to be an effective marketing tool. Furthermore the additional investments in energy saving measures ultimately save costs. This cooperation model has already been adopted in other regions.

Prof. Ursula Männle (CSU), also vice chairwomen of the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation, welcomed the delegation at the Bavarian State Parliament. In her function as a delegate she informed the Chinese guests about the various duties and working fields of parliamentary delegates, especially the challenges of an election campaign. The Chinese politicians were deeply impressed by Prof. Männle's vivid description of the last election campaign, which she illustrated by presenting promotional materials used in the last campaign. "Politicians here directly approach the citizens and this is how it should be," commented a participant of the Chinese delegation.

In Munich Christian Hegemer, head of the Institute for International Exchange and Cooperation welcomed the Chinese parliamentarians at the Hanns Seidel Foundation where they exchanged views on the development of the European Union.