The past decades have witnessed the rapid growth of foreign participation in the renewable energy development in China. This is a result of massive energy demand and the Government's strategy to shadow the role of traditional fossil fuel in the energy mix. This paper critically reviewed the international cooperation in the field of renewable energy with various partners in the new century. The cooperation pattern varies from partner to partner. The results showed that China has benefited from the international cooperation on renewable energy such as accessing to finance and advanced technologies, developing human resources related to renewable energy, and enhancing related policy framework. Major issues associated with the international cooperation are discussed as well. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.