China’s Environment Minister, Huang Runqiu, expressed on Thursday the country’s interest in bolstering collaboration with the U.S. to address climate change. His remarks came during a meeting in Beijing with California Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom is currently on a week’s visit to China, advocating for climate collaboration. This trip, though once deemed common for a governor, is now noteworthy due to the recent strains in U.S.-China relations.
Quick Read
- A joint declaration was signed between California and China, emphasizing mutual support in combatting climate change.
- The declaration highlighted areas of cooperation:
- Offshore wind energy
- Innovative energy storage technologies
- Zero-emission vehicles
- Governor Newsom experienced a warm reception in Beijing, contrasting typical U.S.-China official interactions.
- Newsom held discussions with prominent Chinese figures:
- President Xi Jinping
- Diplomat Wang Yi
- Vice President Han Zheng
- Newsom underscored the urgent need for collaboration between the two entities due to the significant threat climate change poses to human existence.
- California governors, historically, have fostered a climate cooperation relationship with China.
- This includes both Democrat Jerry Brown and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, who exchanged insights on reducing pollution and emissions.
- Jerry Brown met with Xi Jinping in 2017.
The Associated Press has the story:
China seeks to bolster climate cooperation with US as Calif. Gov. Newsom in Beijing
Newslooks- BANGKOK (AP)
On Thursday, Chinese Environment Minister Huang Runqiu expressed China’s eagerness to enhance collaborative efforts with the United States in addressing climate change. This statement was made during his meeting with California Governor Gavin Newsom in Beijing.
Governor Newsom is in China for a week, advocating for climate collaboration. His visit, once deemed ordinary for a governor, is now in the spotlight due to the recent escalation of U.S.-China tensions.
Despite the friction between the two nations over trade, tariffs, human rights issues, and the status of Taiwan, they have found common ground in battling climate change.
Minister Huang affirmed on Thursday that his ministry is committed to upholding the agreements penned in the previous year’s memorandum of understanding with California. This commitment includes initiatives in carbon market investment, climate adaptation, executing environmental laws, and fostering people-to-people exchanges to bolster Sino-American environmental cooperation.
Newsom acknowledged California’s forefront role in tackling air pollution and climate-centric policies during his preliminary speech on Thursday. However, he emphasized the need for broader collaboration beyond subnational efforts, stating, “We need more partners.” He conveyed his openness to partnership and humility, acknowledging that California alone doesn’t hold all the solutions.
Both representatives discussed the increasing incidents of extreme weather events affecting their respective regions.
A joint declaration was released on Wednesday by California and China, vowing mutual support in the climate fight. This includes cooperation in areas like offshore wind energy, innovative energy storage solutions, and zero-emission vehicles, as stated in the document.
Newsom’s reception in Beijing was notably cordial, a departure from the usual interactions between U.S. and Chinese officials. He had meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, leading diplomat Wang Yi, and Vice President Han Zheng on Wednesday.
Emphasizing the climate crisis, Newsom pointed out the necessity for both nations to work together, citing the existential threat it poses to humanity’s future.
Historically, California governors have maintained a collaborative climate relationship with China. This tradition, transcending political lines, includes former governors Jerry Brown, a Democrat, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, who both engaged in knowledge exchanges with China focused on minimizing air pollution and emissions. Notably, Brown also had a meeting with Xi Jinping back in 2017.
