Mubasher: Toyota plans to establish a research institute in Beijing, within a partnership with Tsinghua University, to study hydrogen-powered car technology and other environmentally-friendly technologies, Reuters reported.

The Tsinghua-Toyota Joint Research Institute will conduct research in vehicles and new technology to solve environmental issues in China, which include reducing traffic accidents, according to the Japanese car giant’s statement.

The institute will “cooperate in research not only related to cars for Chinese consumers, but also in research related to active utilisation of hydrogen energy that can help solve China’s energy problems,” Toyota said.

The initiative, laid out by Toyota’s chairman and CEO Akio Toyoda during a speech at the university, came within efforts by the car manufacturer to share more technology with China, and its push towards expanding its business in the world’s biggest auto market by boosting manufacturing capacity and distribution channels, Reuters said, citing a source within the company.

On a side note, Toyota said that it began to provide fuel cell vehicle components to Chinese commercial auto manufacturers Foton and SinoHytec, Reuters noted, adding that the company looks for more cooperation with further companies in China to promote fuel cell vehicle technology in the country.