[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] John Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, is expected to soon visit China and meet with Chinese officials including Xie Zhenhua, China's Special Representative for Climate Change, according to multiple sources cited by the Washington Post (WP) on the 10th (local time).
This marks the first visit by a senior official to China under the Joe Biden administration. It appears to reflect the Biden administration's China policy of competing and confronting China while seeking areas of cooperation on issues such as climate change.
Kerry's visit to China is also part of his Asia tour following visits to India and Bangladesh. In an interview with Indian media, Kerry said, "I want to cooperate with China. We cannot be prisoners of our differences. We must cooperate on climate change."
After the U.S.-China high-level talks in Anchorage on the 18th of last month, China announced through Xinhua News Agency that both sides had agreed to form a climate change working group, but U.S. officials have stated that no such agreement was made, WP reported.
WP explained that this shows the Biden administration's intention not to fall into the Chinese-style tactic of formalizing a consultative body whose outcomes are uncertain.
China has declared its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Cooperation between the two largest carbon emitters, the U.S. and China, is essential in addressing climate change.
Addressing climate change is a key agenda for President Biden. On his first day in office, he announced the U.S. rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, which former President Donald Trump had unilaterally withdrawn from, declaring that the U.S. would lead international efforts to combat climate change. On the 22nd and 23rd, he will preside over a virtual climate summit.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
