John Kerry, the US special envoy on climate, met with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, in Beijing to discuss cooperation on tackling global warming and improving the strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. Kerry expressed the hope that climate talks could serve as a fresh start for US-China relations, which have been marred by disagreements on trade, technology, and Taiwan.
The meeting took place at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, and Kerry emphasized the potential for changing the broader relationship between the US and China. He regarded the conversation as a platform to address differences and foster cooperation. Kerry’s visit follows those of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, reflecting the US administration’s commitment to engaging with China on various fronts.
In the past year, China suspended some high-level contacts, including those related to climate issues, as a response to Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. The relationship between the two nations faced further challenges, including a dispute over a Chinese spy balloon crossing the US. Kerry assured Wang of President Joe Biden’s commitment to stability in the bilateral relationship and the shared goal of making a significant impact on global challenges, particularly climate change.
Wang referred to Kerry as an “old friend” and acknowledged their joint efforts in resolving previous issues. He commended Kerry and his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenzhua, for their extensive talks held the day before. The specifics of these discussions have not been disclosed by US officials, but Beijing stated that climate change is a common challenge for all humankind and expressed a willingness to exchange views with the US and work together for the benefit of current and future generations.
China, as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has committed to peaking its carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. The Biden administration aims to decarbonize the US economy by 2050. Kerry has attempted to compartmentalize climate issues from broader diplomatic disputes, but China has insisted that cooperation on climate change cannot be separated from other concerns.
In a commentary, China’s state news agency Xinhua viewed recent interactions between US and Chinese officials as a positive sign for preventing further misunderstandings and getting bilateral relations back on track. However, it emphasized that Beijing seeks concessions on the political front, an expectation that the US has rejected. Xinhua stressed that compartmentalizing cooperation and competition with China is unrealistic and unacceptable, highlighting the need to consider the overall state of bilateral relations for a healthy and sustainable cooperation between the two countries.
