In this photo taken Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023, and released by Office of the Governor of California , California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Office of the Governor of California via AP)
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s surprise meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing has marked a rare display of friendliness in the context of recent tensions between the United States and China. Newsom’s weeklong visit to China is primarily focused on promoting climate cooperation. This visit, which follows years of escalating tensions between the two nations, is drawing significant attention.
Newsom’s mission in China is to advocate for collaboration in addressing climate change, and while his primary focus is on this issue, Chinese officials took the opportunity to discuss broader U.S.-China relations in their welcome speeches.
During his meetings with Chinese officials, Newsom and Xi discussed climate progress and explored ways to strengthen cooperation in meaningful ways. They also addressed the issue of fentanyl, a synthetic drug responsible for many deaths in the United States, and China’s role in combating the international trafficking of precursor chemicals for the drug.
Xi expressed hope that Newsom’s visit would enhance mutual understanding and contribute to expanding cooperation between China and California while promoting healthy and stable Sino-U.S. relations.
Newsom’s visit is part of a broader itinerary that includes stops in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and the provinces of Guangdong and Jiangsu. During a speech at Hong Kong University, he reaffirmed California’s commitment to climate cooperation, regardless of the outcome of the next U.S. presidential election.
Human rights issues and the topic of Taiwan, a sensitive issue for Beijing, were also raised during Newsom’s discussions with Chinese officials. He expressed support for the One-China policy and a desire to avoid Taiwan’s independence, consistent with the official U.S. policy.
Newsom’s visit is seen as a positive development by Chinese officials who believe it aligns with the interests of California’s people, the American people, and the global society.
This visit continues the tradition of California governors collaborating with China on climate and environmental issues. Governors like Jerry Brown and Arnold Schwarzenegger have previously engaged in such cooperation, sharing knowledge on reducing air pollution and emissions. Brown, in particular, launched the California-China Climate Institute at the University of California, Berkeley after leaving office. This visit by Governor Newsom underscores the importance of sub-national cooperation in fostering strong and steady growth in China-U.S. relations.
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