Will the climate of China US relations "heat up"?, Kerry's Visit to China Kerry | China and the United States | Climate

On the morning of the 17th, the US President's climate envoy John Kerry held over four hours of talks with China's climate change envoy, Xie Zhenhua, at the Beijing Hotel. Both China and the United States exchanged in-depth views on cooperation in addressing climate change.

This is Kerry's third visit to China as the US President's special envoy on climate issues. He is also the third senior US official to visit China recently, following US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of the Treasury Yellen.

Tao Wenzhao, a researcher at the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Wang Yong, a professor at the School of International Relations and Director of the Center for American Studies at Peking University, pointed out in an interview with China News Agency that Kerry's visit to China is expected to promote the resumption of climate change talks between China and the United States. This also reflects the efforts made by both sides in the process of "reshaping" the relationship between China and the United States, to implement the consensus of the first Bali meeting between China and the United States. However, it remains to be seen whether the overall momentum of China US relations can be improved.

Will a new round of cooperation open the door?

"Kerry's visit to China can be said to be a part of the overall improvement of China US relations. At the same time, the climate talks between China and the United States themselves also contribute to improving the atmosphere of China US relations and further strengthening the current momentum of improvement in China US relations." Wang Yong, a professor at the School of International Relations at Peking University and director of the Center for American Studies, said in an interview with China News Agency.

According to US media reports, Kerry's office stated that Kerry's visit to China this time aims to engage with China on addressing the climate crisis and exchange views on promoting the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other issues.

"We need sincere cooperation," Kerry said in a previous interview. "China and the United States are the two largest economies in the world. Obviously, we have a special responsibility to seek consensus."

In January 2023, Kerry held a video meeting with Xie Zhenhua. According to experts cited by Axios News, Kerry and Xie Zhenhua have known each other for many years, and this visit to China is expected to achieve certain substantive results, which may "open the door" for a new round of climate cooperation.

"Kerry attaches great importance to China US relations and believes that the stable development of China US relations is beneficial to the people of both countries, especially in addressing global issues such as climate change. During the Obama administration, Kerry served as Secretary of State and played a significant role in promoting the development of China US relations and promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States. During the Biden administration, he served as the Special Representative for Climate Change and also hoped to strengthen cooperation on climate change between China and the United States," said Wang Yong.

Wang Yong mentioned that as China's special envoy on climate change, Xie Zhenhua and Kerry have a strong consensus and can look forward to the results of Kerry's visit to China. On the one hand, it is to resume climate change negotiations between China and the United States, and on the other hand, there is a possibility of making some progress on specific issues.

Tao Wenzhao, a researcher at the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also pointed out that over the years, the Democratic Party of the United States has had a relatively consistent stance on climate issues, that is, to put climate issues on the agenda. Democratic Party member Kerry's third visit to China as the US President's special envoy on climate issues is expected to push for the resumption of climate change talks between China and the United States. This also reflects the efforts made by both sides in the process of "reshaping" China US relations, focusing on implementing the consensus of the first Bali meeting between China and the United States.

Can the overall momentum of China US relations improve?

"Although the US policy also emphasizes cooperation with China on climate change issues, so far, cooperation in this area has been relatively limited. There is an atmosphere of 'hostility towards China' and 'demonization of China' in the US." Wang Yong reminded that although senior US officials such as Kerry have visited China frequently recently, it remains to be seen whether China and the US can reach a certain consensus on cooperation and whether the overall momentum of Sino US relations can be improved.

Wang Yong pointed out, "On the issue of climate change, China has taken concrete actions. However, currently, the United States is influenced by its domestic politics and many goals cannot be implemented, which is a gap between China and the United States."

In 2001, the United States declared that it refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol because fulfilling environmental obligations was not in its national interest. In 2017, the Trump administration insisted on withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. Although the Biden administration rejoined this agreement after taking office, the United States' "double standard" farce has had a negative impact on global efforts to address climate change and has been criticized by the international community.

In Wang Yong's view, the progress of climate change cooperation between China and the United States depends entirely on the way the United States handles Sino US relations, including how to correctly understand China's development and how to correctly evaluate China's positive contributions to the international community.

"Currently, China is the maintainer of the international order, playing a huge role in world peace and stability, the development of human society, and the progress of our cause. The United States must change its mindset and have a correct understanding of China's development," said Wang Yong.

Misjudgment in the positioning of US policy towards China

Kerry claimed that "China US climate change cooperation should be independent of the tense situation between China and the United States.". In this regard, Tao Wenzhao believes that "this is impossible to achieve" because the relationship between China and the United States also involves many aspects such as economy, trade, science and technology.

"To some extent, Kerry's statement is also meant for the US Congress to hear," Wang Yong added. He analyzed that the hardliners in the US Congress emphasize that climate change between China and the US should not be linked to the US China relationship, and it will not have a positive spillover effect. This is wishful thinking on the part of the United States. On the one hand, the United States cannot compete fiercely with China, suppress and contain China, and on the other hand, promote relevant cooperation.

Tao Wenzhao pointed out that although the overall atmosphere between China and the United States is constantly improving, the US may continue to promote the "Indo Pacific strategy", implement technological suppression against China, and build "small courtyards and high walls".

Wang Yong believes that the Biden administration has made a strategic misjudgment on China's policy positioning, believing that "China's rapid development will challenge the neoliberal order led by the United States," which is the US's own definition. Therefore, the United States regards China as the top security threat, emphasizes strategic competition with China, and mobilizes allies to contain China. He further pointed out that even if senior US officials such as Kerry visit China, it will be difficult to change the trend of "demonizing China" in the United States and even plotting to promote a "new cold war against China".

Regarding Kerry's visit to China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a routine press conference on July 17th that climate change is a common challenge facing all humanity. China will implement the spirit of the Bali meeting between the two heads of state, exchange in-depth views with the United States on climate change related issues, work together to address challenges, and enhance the well-being of contemporary and future generations.