The last time I reported on my governor, California’s Gavin Newsom, he had stopped in Israel on his way to a week-long visit to China.
Newsom began his stay with a fairly bold assurance that California will always be a partner on climate issues no matter how the U.S. presidential election turns out next year.
Democrat Gavin Newsom’s visit comes as U.S.-Chinese relations witnessed a sharp deterioration in recent years due to trade disputes, U.S. support for self-governing Taiwan and human rights concerns, among other contentious issues.Attempting to reinforce his state’s role as a global leader on climate change, Newsom began his visit with a climate-themed discussion at the University of Hong Kong. He told the audience they “can rely on California,” while addressing claims that the United States is not a reliable ally.”I want you to know, regardless of what happens nationally, sub-nationally, you have a partner in the state of California,” he said.Climate remains one area where collaboration is seen as possible and necessary. Both countries appear to have fully re-engaged in the run-up to the next U.N. climate change conference, which opens Nov. 30 in Dubai.
Newsom received rave reviews from the Chinese.
A new editorial published Monday by the Global Times, a nationalistic English-language tabloid published by the propaganda department of the ruling Communist Party, states that Newsom is one of the most esteemed U.S. officials to make the journey overseas—citing the governor’s first trip there as one of pragmatism as the U.S.-China relationship overall has been one of angst and vitriol in recent years.”To be honest, Chinese people currently lack faith in Washington as a whole and have distrust toward some U.S. politicians. However, the welcome for Governor Newsom’s visit is sincere and warm, as ‘it is always a pleasure to greet a friend from afar,'” the editorial states.The Global Times’ editorial also states that Newsom “developed a deep connection with China” when he was formerly mayor of San Francisco, commending him on attempting to make further inroads when China and the U.S. have more so been combative.
One has to wonder if Newsom enjoys the same deep connections with China that the Bidens do. But I digress.
It will be interesting to see what happens if China decides to take another direction regarding a climate change partnership with California, in light of its recent activities in the Middle East.
Amid the war between Israel and the Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip, up to six Chinese warships have been operating in the Middle East over the past week, according to the Chinese Ministry of Defense.According to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Defense, the 44th Naval Escort Task Force has been in regular operations in the region since May. Last week, they also conducted a joint exercise with the Omani navy during a visit to Oman.Following the successful completion of its visit to Oman, the Chinese naval escort task force arrived at Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait as scheduled on the morning of October 18. The Chinese maritime group embarked on a five-day goodwill visit to Kuwait.
I suspect China’s plans for climate change are drastically different than the governor’s.
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