California Governor Gavin Newsom began a week-long visit to China by stating that his state would remain a reliable partner in the fight against climate change, regardless of the outcome of next year’s US presidential election.
According to Newsom, a Democrat, California intends to continue cooperating with China on environmental issues despite tense relations between the two countries caused by trade disputes, support for Taiwan, and human rights issues.
He began his visit with a speech at the University of Hong Kong, where a discussion on climate change took place. Addressing the audience, the governor emphasized:
“I want you to know that regardless of what happens at the federal level, you have a partner in the state of California.”
The climate agenda remains one of the few areas where cooperation between the US and China is not only possible but necessary. Both countries are actively preparing for the next UN climate conference, which will open on November 30 in Dubai.
Newsom noted that the US and China already have a long history of joint initiatives in the field of climate protection and expressed his intention to strengthen these ties.
Li Yuncheng, deputy commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong, said in his speech that relations between China and the US “are showing signs of recovery” and expressed confidence that Newsom’s visit would be fruitful.
The event was also attended by US Consul General in Hong Kong Gregory May, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Eden Woon, and former Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung.
However, the governor’s trip drew criticism from more than 60 human rights and civic groups, which issued a joint statement expressing disappointment and calling the visit “an attempt to sidestep discussion of pressing human rights issues.”
Responding to questions from reporters about whether it was possible to achieve progress in climate cooperation without raising the issue of human rights, Newsom rejected the idea of compromise:
“We can do many things at the same time.”
After his visit to Hong Kong, the governor will travel to Beijing, Shanghai, and the provinces of Guangdong and Jiangsu. The program includes a visit to the first Chinese city with a fully electric bus fleet, a tour of an offshore wind farm, and a visit to Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai.
In addition, Newsom plans to sign agreements with Chinese provincial leaders on mutual commitments to climate goals, as well as discuss issues of strengthening cultural ties, combating xenophobia, and developing tourism and the economy.
California governors have traditionally played an important role in environmental cooperation with China. Before Newsom, Jerry Brown and Arnold Schwarzenegger traveled there to exchange experiences on reducing air pollution and emissions. After leaving office, Brown founded the California-China Climate Cooperation Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, which continues to develop these initiatives.
