Despite recent tensions between China and the US, including the downing of a spy balloon and disagreements over Taiwan, the world’s two largest economies are renewing their climate talks. China’s top climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, has invited his American counterpart, John Kerry, to visit China.
The two negotiators already had a virtual conversation during the Major Economies Forum on Climate, which was organized by the US. Xie’s invitation for Kerry’s visit came during that conversation, as Kerry told Foreign Policy magazine.
“I hope those talks can bring us back to where we were two years ago because we need to be able to work together around this issue,” Kerry said.
Despite several issues, including Taiwan and the spy balloon, affecting the broader US-China relationship, President Joe Biden has attempted to keep the climate negotiations separate. However, the challenges remain.
In the interview, Kerry also mentioned health issues. Xie reportedly suffered a “sort of stroke” in January, which kept him out of action for “about a month and a half”. Since then, he has not made any foreign trips, raising questions about his participation in the next climate summit in November.
About the author: Matthew Johnson
Matthew Johnson, a small tech business owner retired and found his passion in journalism.
