Consistent with Xi's stance of seeking cooperation while acknowledging differences
Deep conflicts among US interest groups hinder change... Doubts about US policy shifts
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media have expressed the view that Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision to attend the climate change summit is a positive signal for China-US relations.
State-run Global Times and other Chinese media reported on the 21st that President Xi will attend the climate change summit via video conference on the 22nd and deliver an important speech.
Global Times, citing Chinese experts, evaluated that this aligns with President Xi's consistent stance of seeking cooperation between the two countries while acknowledging their differences. It also emphasized that President Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to attend the summit amid tensions with the United States demonstrates their participation in global efforts to address climate issues.
Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University, said, "The agenda for global climate change response should not be determined by the United States, and China needs to propose solutions that evaluate what is best for its own interests." He added, "The world needs a strong voice on climate change issues, and President Xi's attendance can reassure other countries."
Global Times stressed that China has its own agenda and roadmap in pursuing climate change goals. It pointed out that while the United States wants to maintain leadership even after the fossil energy era, China and Europe are skeptical about whether the US will make consistent efforts on this issue.
Wang Yiwei, director of the European Studies Institute at Renmin University, explained, "The United States is a country with a strong sense of priorities and does not want to change its production and lifestyle," describing the domestic public opinion base on climate change in the US as weak.
He also expressed concern that "President Biden is implementing policies centered on new energy companies that support him, but the vested interests of the existing energy industry are very strong," and that conflicts among interest groups in the US will hinder change. Director Wang said that the US strategy and policy on climate change lack consistency, causing many countries around the world to distrust the US.
Global Times added that ahead of the climate summit, President Xi exchanged views on climate change with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and consensus was also formed.
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