Kerry says climate cooperation could help stabilize U.S.-China ties
By Jadenne Radoc Cabahug, contributing writer
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry met with top Chinese officials on Tuesday, the second day of his visit to Beijing, calling the talks a rare opportunity for the world’s two biggest economies to stabilize ties via cooperation on fighting climate change.
"Our hope is that this can be the beginning of a new definition of cooperation and capacity to resolve differences between us," Kerry said during a meeting with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi.
"We are very hopeful that this can be the beginning not just of a conversation between you and me and us on the climate track but that we can begin to change the broader relationship," Kerry said.
Some of the topics discussed during the meeting included climate financing, China’s role as the world’s top coal consumer and curbing methane consumption.
Wang — who called Kerry an “old friend,” referring to the envoy’s time as U.S. Secretary of State — said tackling climate change could be made possible through improving U.S.-China relations, after the relationship plummeted to new lows over Taiwan and trade troubles.
Kerry also met with China’s No. 2, Premier Li Qiang, but he was not expected to meet leader Xi Jinping.
Ahead of talks with Li, Kerry warned that the climate crisis could worsen this summer, pointing to reports that China’s northwestern Xinjiang region recorded an all-time high temperature of 52 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
"The predictions are much more serious than they've ever been," Kerry added after an unusual interruption by Li expressing doubt about the reports.
Kerry’s trip comes on the heels of visits to Beijing by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury chief Janet Yellen earlier this summer.
"Our hope is that this can be the beginning of a new definition of cooperation and capacity to resolve differences between us," Kerry said during a meeting with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi.
"We are very hopeful that this can be the beginning not just of a conversation between you and me and us on the climate track but that we can begin to change the broader relationship," Kerry said.
Some of the topics discussed during the meeting included climate financing, China’s role as the world’s top coal consumer and curbing methane consumption.
Wang — who called Kerry an “old friend,” referring to the envoy’s time as U.S. Secretary of State — said tackling climate change could be made possible through improving U.S.-China relations, after the relationship plummeted to new lows over Taiwan and trade troubles.
Kerry also met with China’s No. 2, Premier Li Qiang, but he was not expected to meet leader Xi Jinping.
Ahead of talks with Li, Kerry warned that the climate crisis could worsen this summer, pointing to reports that China’s northwestern Xinjiang region recorded an all-time high temperature of 52 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
"The predictions are much more serious than they've ever been," Kerry added after an unusual interruption by Li expressing doubt about the reports.
Kerry’s trip comes on the heels of visits to Beijing by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury chief Janet Yellen earlier this summer.
Ahead of Kerry’s arrival in Beijing, China’s official Xinhua News Agency wrote in a commentary that Beijing always hoped for a stable relationship between the two countries, but that the U.S. needs to reflect on the events that soured ties.
“The recent high-level interactions indicate that both sides aspire to a detente,” it said. “This momentum needs to be maintained, and sincerity is a prerequisite for constructive communication.”
Kerry began his tour by talking to his climate counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, for nearly four hours on Monday, according to Chinese state media. While his main objectives for the visit are to encourage the two powers to make moves toward sustainability, it has been viewed as another step to right strained ties.
During Kerry’s previous visit in 2021, Wang said climate could not be separated from other concerns.
“Today, we have a good opportunity and I’m willing to exchange opinions on any issues,” Wang said Tuesday. “In recent years, we saw less communication, leading more problems to occur. Sometimes, small problems become big ones.”
“The recent high-level interactions indicate that both sides aspire to a detente,” it said. “This momentum needs to be maintained, and sincerity is a prerequisite for constructive communication.”
Kerry began his tour by talking to his climate counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, for nearly four hours on Monday, according to Chinese state media. While his main objectives for the visit are to encourage the two powers to make moves toward sustainability, it has been viewed as another step to right strained ties.
During Kerry’s previous visit in 2021, Wang said climate could not be separated from other concerns.
“Today, we have a good opportunity and I’m willing to exchange opinions on any issues,” Wang said Tuesday. “In recent years, we saw less communication, leading more problems to occur. Sometimes, small problems become big ones.”