Resumption of US-China Climate Talks... Will It Become a Destabilizing Factor in Bilateral Tensions?

Kerry, US Special Envoy, Visits China for Three-Day Trip

John Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, met with Xie Zhenhua, China's Special Representative for Climate Change, on the 17th and expressed hope that the two countries would take measures to send a progressive signal to the world. Following the visits of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to China, the third high-level U.S. official's visit and discussions in China have begun, drawing attention to whether the climate sector could become a groundbreaking breakthrough to ease tensions between the two countries.

Bloomberg News, citing climate diplomacy and U.S.-China relations experts, reported on the 16th (local time) that if an official statement reviving the November 2021 promise to establish a working group to regularize climate change consultations is issued, it would represent significant progress in U.S.-China relations.

Xie, Kerry's Chinese counterpart, said at the meeting held at a hotel in Beijing, China, that "(the two countries) are seeking substantive dialogue" and that "this meeting could also contribute to improving bilateral relations."

Kerry explained that the purpose of his visit to China is to lay the groundwork for consultations ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly sessions in September and November, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, and the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), emphasizing that "it is urgent to achieve substantive progress through dialogue between the two countries."

He also stressed, "Carbon emissions are rapidly increasing in many regions around the world," and highlighted the importance of working together through cooperation rather than competition to reduce the impact of coal power generation. According to the European Commission (EC), as of 2021, China (32.9%) and the United States (12.6%) accounted for nearly half (45.5%) of global carbon emissions.

Kerry called for cooperation between the two countries on reducing greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane, as well as on the issue of permitting the construction of coal-fired power plants. While China operates the world's largest solar and wind power facilities, it is also increasing the utilization rate of coal-fired power plants due to concerns over energy security.

According to Bloomberg sources, the two sides are expected to discuss topics such as limiting coal use, curbing deforestation, and supporting developing countries' responses to climate change during the talks. They are also anticipated to exchange views on U.S. tariffs on Chinese solar panels and battery components.

John Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, who visited Beijing, China, is shaking hands with Xie Zhenhua, the Chinese counterpart and Special Representative for Climate Change, on the 17th.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, there are also views that it will be difficult for this meeting to lead to substantial results. Lin Bochong, head of the China Energy Economics Research Center at Xiamen University, stated, "There is a fundamental difference in how the U.S. and China approach climate change," and argued that "it is unrealistic for the U.S. to request cooperation on solving climate change issues without first showing sincerity in improving bilateral relations."

This reflects the Chinese authorities' position that for cooperation to occur, the U.S. must first lift sanctions related to China's green policies. L? Xiang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also predicted, "Climate issues are not a 'romantic isolated island' separate from bilateral relations, so it is unlikely that climate issues will play a tail role that shakes geopolitical matters."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.