[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The United States and China announced a joint statement on the 18th declaring their cooperation on climate change response, including the implementation of the Paris Agreement and carbon neutrality.
China's Global Times reported that "Special Envoy Xie Zhenhua and U.S. President Joe Biden's Climate Envoy John Kerry discussed climate crisis issues in Shanghai from the 15th to 16th and issued a joint statement after the talks."
In the joint statement, China announced that the two countries agreed on six major points: ▲ cooperating with other countries to address the seriousness and urgency of the climate crisis ▲ working hand in hand to strengthen the implementation of the Paris Agreement, which limits the rise in global average temperature ▲ looking forward to the U.S.-hosted Climate Leaders Summit on April 22-23 ▲ adopting other measures such as carbon neutrality to resolve the climate crisis ▲ discussing carbon emission reductions around the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, UK (scheduled for November) ▲ cooperating to ensure the successful hosting of COP26.
Additionally, the two countries agreed in detail on ▲ expanding financial support to help developing countries transition from high-carbon fossil energy to green, low-carbon, and renewable energy ▲ phased reduction of hydrofluorocarbon production and consumption ▲ strengthening the use of renewable energy ▲ increasing green low-carbon transportation and energy-saving buildings ▲ cooperation on non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions such as methane.
According to major foreign media, the U.S. stated in the joint statement that "the U.S. and China have agreed to cooperate with each other and with other countries to respond to the climate crisis, which is urgent and serious." It added, "Both countries will strengthen their long-term strategies to achieve carbon neutrality and work on multilateral cooperation, including the Paris Agreement and the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties."
During his visit to China, Special Envoy Kerry was expected to have actively encouraged the Chinese side to have Chinese President Xi Jinping participate in the Climate Leaders Summit hosted by the U.S. on April 22-23.
China expressed anticipation for the Climate Leaders Summit in the joint statement but did not disclose whether President Xi would attend. AFP reported, "The two countries issued a statement to strengthen cooperation ahead of the climate summit hosted by President Joe Biden," evaluating it as "a signal that despite rising tensions in various areas, the two countries can cooperate on global crises." However, it pointed out, "The joint statement did not mention whether President Xi would attend the climate summit."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
