Subnational joint action on environmental issues can help overcome obstacles at the national level. Reported by Hou Liqiang
Despite some politicians in Washington trying to break the general relationship with Beijing in recent years, subnational efforts between China and California to solve the looming global climate crisis remain strong.
The subnational cooperation, which dates back decades, also serves as a bridge to help maintain links between the world’s two largest economies amid ups and downs in relations at the national level, officials said. expert and official.
Gavin Newsom, governor of California, visited China for a week in late October, and a statement issued by his office after the trip emphasized his state’s role in helping China-United States relations.
“Because of California’s history with China on climate cooperation and our world-leading climate efforts, our state can serve as a bridge to one of the most important issues of our time,” he said in the statement.
The important role of subnational cooperation was highlighted in a joint statement by China and the US on enhancing cooperation to address the climate crisis, which was made public after a meeting between China’s special envoy for climate change, Xie Zhenhua, and his US counterpart, John Kerry, in Sunnylands, California, from November 4 to 7.
Three of the 25 clauses in the declaration are about subnational cooperation. “China and the United States will support climate cooperation among states, provinces, and cities in areas including power, transportation, buildings, and waste,” it said.
The two sides will facilitate subnational governments, businesses, think tanks, and other stakeholders to actively participate in cooperation, it continued. The two countries will meet from time to time, as agreed, for policy dialogue, sharing of best practices, exchange of information, and to facilitate cooperative programs.
China and the United States intend to hold a high-level event on subnational climate action in the first half of 2024. Both sides also welcome and appreciate the existing subnational cooperation between the two countries. country and encourages states, provinces, and cities to promote practical climate cooperation, the statement said.
