中文
By Imran Khalid
In a glimmer of hope for strained China-U.S. relations, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will visit China from July 16 to 19. This visit signals an intent on both sides to arrest the downward trajectory of their bilateral ties, particularly in the context of climate change negotiations between the world's major greenhouse gas emitters.
Kerry's upcoming trip follows the recent visits by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, which have sowed seeds of some stabilization in the bilateral relations. During his visit, Kerry is anticipated to engage in discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, focusing on the vital subject of "climate cooperation."
Their exchanges are expected to delve into collaborative measures aimed at effectively curbing greenhouse gas emissions, a matter of paramount importance for our planet's future. The significance of this meeting extends beyond immediate discussions, as it also sets the stage for the forthcoming UN climate conference scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates later this year. The outcome of Kerry's visit and the subsequent developments in China-U.S. climate cooperation will undoubtedly shape the narrative leading up to this crucial global event.
While challenges persist in China-U.S. relations, this renewed engagement in the realm of climate change underscores the mutual recognition of shared interests and the urgency of concerted action. As the international community grapples with the pressing realities of global warming, a cooperative approach between these two influential powers has become very crucial. By setting aside differences and focusing on areas of common concern, there is hope for progress in addressing the existential threat of climate change and forging a path toward a sustainable future.
For obvious reasons, some pricking questions are hovering in the air about the sincerity of the American overtures. Is this a genuine commitment to combat climate change, or merely another strategic maneuver to temporarily salvage a rapidly deteriorating relationship with Beijing?
Whichever the case, the outcome of this critical rendezvous will reverberate in shaping the delicate communication between the two powers in the coming period. China and the United States, indisputably at the forefront of clean energy investment, shoulder an undeniable obligation in the crusade against global warming. Their previous cooperation has yielded remarkable results, including the historic 2015 Paris Agreement that breathed life into the world's hopes for a sustainable future.
With China aiming to reach peak emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, alongside America's ambitious commitment to slashing up to 52 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030, the success or failure of these individual aspirations will undoubtedly have ripple effects across the globe.
Amidst the tangled web of trade disputes, technological rivalries, and human rights disagreements, the once-promising collaboration between China and the United States on climate change has fallen victim to the deteriorating state of their relations.
Last year, Beijing was compelled to suspend climate negotiations with the U.S. following former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's ill-fated visit to China's Taiwan region, a move that Beijing insisted undermined the inseparable link between climate cooperation and the broader bilateral relationship. However, recent developments suggest an emergence of positivity in the gloomy landscape of China-U.S. ties.
The gradual stabilization of their relationship and the productive rapport established between John Kerry and Xie Zhenhua, which dates back to the period of the Barack Obama administration, have fostered a sense of optimism.
As Kerry prepares for his upcoming visit to China, expectations rise that this rendezvous could pave the way for progress in addressing the urgent climate crisis. The complexities of China-U.S. relations cast a long shadow over the prospects of collaboration on climate change. Yet, the shared realization of the need for concerted action and the recognition of their historical working relationship offer a flicker of possibility.
Wind turbines in Weining County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 27, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]
China has long been an active participant in global climate governance, demonstrating a willingness to cooperate with Washington and other nations. China, with its ambitious pursuit of renewable energy, has cemented itself as a global forerunner in this critical arena.
Through a combination of incentives and well-crafted regulatory policies, China has managed to host a staggering about 50 percent of the world's operational wind and solar capacity. China continues to outpace others in the installation of renewable energy infrastructure, demonstrating its unwavering determination to lead the way in green technology.
In areas such as electric vehicles and battery technologies, China stands at the forefront, spearheading advancements that are reshaping the future of transportation. This relentless pursuit of energy security and sustainable economic growth has become an integral part of China's national agenda. As the world faces the pressing challenge of climate change, China's efforts serve as an example of how a determined nation can contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
"China and the United States are the two largest economies in the world... It's clear that we have a special responsibility to find common ground," said John Kerry in his recent interview with the New York Times. Anticipations are high that Kerry's visit will facilitate tangible advancements on this critical issue for both sides.
Imran Khalid, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a freelance columnist on international affairs.
