California governor visits China and says his state will always be a partner on climate change
California Gov. Gavin Newsom opened a weeklong trip to China with an assurance that his state will always be a partner on climate issues no matter how the U.S. presidential election turns out next year
HONG KONG — The governor of California opened a week-long trip to China on Monday with an assurance that his state will always be a partner on climate issues no matter how the U.S. presidential election turns out next year.
Democrat Gavin Newsom's visit comes as U.S.-Chinese relations witnessed a sharp deterioration in recent years due to trade disputes, U.S. support for self-governing Taiwan and human rights concerns, among other contentious issues.
Attempting to reinforce his state's role as a global leader on climate change, Newsom began his visit with a climate-themed discussion at the University of Hong Kong. He told the audience they “can rely on California,” while addressing claims that the United States is not a reliable ally.
“I want you to know, regardless of what happens nationally, sub-nationally, you have a partner in the state of California,” he said.
Climate remains one area where collaboration is seen as possible and necessary. Both countries appear to have fully re-engaged in the run-up to the next U.N. climate change conference, which opens Nov. 30 in Dubai.
Newsom said China and the U.S. have long-standing partnerships on the issue of climate change that he wanted to build upon.
Li Yongsheng, deputy commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry in Hong Kong, said at the opening of the event that China-US relations “have shown positive signs of rebounding," and that he believed Newsom's visit will be productive.
Other attendees included Gregory May, U.S. consul general in Hong Kong, Eden Woon, the
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