US climate envoy holds talks in China


Friendly meet: Kerry (left) greeting Xie Zhenhua ahead of talks in Beijing. — Bloomberg

Beijing: US climate envoy John Kerry held four hours of talks with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing reviving stalled diplomacy on reducing planet-warming emissions.

Climate talks between the two biggest greenhouse gas emitters came to a halt last year after Nancy Pelosi, then speaker of the US House of Representatives, enraged Beijing by visiting self-ruled Taiwan, which China considers to be part of its territory.

Kerry, a former secretary of state, has enjoyed comparatively cordial and consistent relations with China despite Washington and Beijing locking horns over Taiwan and a number of other issues.

Chinese state media reported he met his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua for four hours of talks in Beijing yesterday.

“Xie Zhenhua, China’s special envoy for climate change affairs, concluded his talks with John Kerry, the special envoy of the US president for climate issues, which lasted for around four hours,” broadcaster CCTV said.

It did not share further details about the meeting.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told CNN on Sunday that Kerry would press Beijing not to “hide behind any kind of claim that they are a developing nation” in order to slow-roll efforts to cut emissions.

“Every country, including China, has a responsibility to reduce emissions,” Sullivan said. And the world, I do believe, should step up and encourage – indeed, pressure – China to take far more dramatic action to reduce emissions.”

China has long used its official status as a developing nation to justify its high emissions, with Sullivan saying “there is more work for them to do on that front”.

Kerry’s trip follows two other high-profile visits by US officials -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen -- that were aimed at stabilising US-China ties. — AFP

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Aseanplus News

China-Laos Railway spurs regional economic growth; Laos report good returns
Emerging Markets - Buoyant dollar weighs on Asian FX, stocks rally on global tech boost
13 women convicted in Cambodia of acting as surrogates for foreign clients
Giant panda star and lovable Fu Bao under close observation after health alert
38 Vietnamese tourists reported missing in South Korea’s Jeju island
Tencent’s ‘Path Of Exile 2’ tops PC game charts in major markets
Australian research links unhealthy diets to deadly cancers
Exxon weighing sale of RM4.5bil Singapore petrol stations, according to sources
Australia, Singapore agree to seek expanded access to their defence facilities
Gobind: 17.5 million 5G users in Malaysia

Others Also Read