California Governor Gavin Newsom Takes Climate Leadership to China, Despite Tensions

California Governor Gavin Newsom arrived in China on Monday for a week-long visit, assuring the Chinese that his state would continue to be a partner on climate issues regardless of the U.S. presidential election outcome. This visit comes at a time when U.S.-Chinese relations have been strained due to trade disputes, U.S. support for self-governing Taiwan, and human rights concerns. Newsom's trip is aimed at reinforcing California's role as a global leader on climate change.

During his visit, Newsom participated in a climate-themed discussion at the University of Hong Kong, emphasizing California's commitment to combating climate change. He stated that regardless of the national political landscape, California remains a reliable partner on climate issues. Newsom also discussed the long-standing partnership between China and the U.S. on climate change, expressing his desire to build upon this collaboration. Li Yongsheng, deputy commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry in Hong Kong, expressed optimism about Newsom's visit, noting positive signs of rebounding China-U.S. relations.

Other attendees at the event included Gregory May, the U.S. consul general in Hong Kong, Eden Woon, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, and Elsie Leung, former secretary for justice in Hong Kong. However, Newsom's trip to China has drawn concerns from advocacy groups and non-governmental organizations who criticized the governor for ignoring critical human rights issues.

In response, Newsom stated that progress on climate matters can be achieved without sacrificing human rights discussions. Following his visit to Hong Kong, Newsom will travel to Beijing, Shanghai, and the provinces of Guangdong and Jiangsu. His itinerary includes visiting an all-electric bus fleet in a Chinese city, touring an offshore wind facility, and visiting Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory. Newsom also plans to sign agreements with Chinese provincial leaders to establish mutual commitments on various climate goals.

Additionally, his agenda includes discussions on strengthening cultural ties, combating xenophobia, and promoting economic development and tourism. California governors have a history of collaborating with China on climate-related initiatives. Previous governors, Democrat Jerry Brown and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, have both engaged in knowledge-sharing with China on reducing air pollution and emissions. Since leaving office, Brown has launched the California-China Climate Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. Newsom's visit to China aims to strengthen ties between California and China and affirm California's commitment to addressing climate issues, even in the face of strained U.S.-Chinese relations.