Climate: John Kerry met his Chinese counterpart in Beijing
On Monday 17 July 2023, John Kerry, appointed by Joe Biden’s administration to act as the United States’ envoy in the fight against global warming, met his Chinese counterpart in Beijing. An encouraging sign that dialogue is resuming.
This four-hour discussion between the two emissaries of their respective governments marks the resumption of dialogue on climate change between the world’s two biggest polluters.
This lull comes after China decided to suspend talks last August, in protest against the visit of Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, to Taiwan.
This is the third time that John Kerry has visited China since taking office in 2021. The special envoy arrived on Sunday 16 July 2023 and will leave on Wednesday 19 July.
Resumption of Sino-American dialogue
Joe Biden has made no secret of his desire to resume dialogue with Beijing after relations became frosty under President Donald Trump. To this end, the US administration has increased the number of visits to China by its envoys.
On Saturday 8 July, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called for more direct cooperation between the two countries. This collaboration is intended to be economic, since trade between the two countries reached record levels in 2022, despite numerous geopolitical and ecological tensions.
Previously, it was Secretary of State Antony Blinken who travelled to the Chinese capital to calm tensions between the two countries.
The resumption of dialogue between the United States and China has been slowed by episodes of growing tension, notably when a Chinese balloon flew over American territory before being shot down by Washington.
