An agreement between China and the United States to continue climate talks – DW – 07/20/2023

Special Envoy for United State to the weather, John KerryOn Thursday (20.7.2023), a visit to the China In it, he affirmed that the two countries had reached “clear agreements” on some issues, although he acknowledged that there were other issues that required “more time” to reach a solution.

At a news conference at the conclusion of his trip, Kerry said his goal was to “break the nearly year-long stalemate” between the two powers and that he had “long and detailed” talks with his Chinese counterparts on climate. Crisis, according to the official Chinese news agency Xinhua.

“We agreed to stay engaged to address this crisis and work together to ensure COP28 is a success,” Kerry said of the climate summit to be held later this year in the United Arab Emirates. He stressed that this will not be a one-time dialogue and that the two parties agreed to intensify their work in the coming weeks.

“We have already set a date for our next meeting and even the next one. We are aware that there are only four months left until COP28 and we have to make up for lost time, speed up the talks, set goals and make sure that we are noting overcoming obstacles and achieving results.”

Kerry visited China from July 16 to 19 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhuawho met him. He also held meetings with the Chairman of the CPC Foreign Affairs Commission, Wang Yi, and Vice Chairman Han Zheng, among other officials.

During his meeting with Kerry, Wang stressed the importance of “maintaining stable relations” between the two countries after several years during which they were characterized by increasing tension, and the need to “remove any interference” in order to return to a path of healthy development.

China’s foreign ministry said the two sides recognized the “huge potential” for cooperation on climate change and the importance of enlisting the support of their compatriots.

Washington seeks close cooperation on climate, while continuing to pressure China on other issues, such as cutting coal use and methane emissions.

For its part, China hopes to promote substantive dialogue and focus on green transformation.

Kerry’s visit comes just days after a visit by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who asked for more contacts with Beijing despite acknowledging “significant differences”.

gs (efe, Reuters)