Next week, US climate envoy John Kerry set to visit China

US climate envoy John Kerry is scheduled to embark on a visit to China next week, marking the third high-profile visit by senior Biden administration officials in recent weeks. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have already made trips to China, reflecting the US government's efforts to mend strained ties with Beijing on various fronts.

During his visit from Monday to Thursday, Kerry intends to engage in discussions with Chinese officials regarding the urgent need to combat the global climate crisis. Despite existing tensions between the world's largest economies, both countries have previously collaborated on climate change, leading to the significant achievement of the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

China extended an invitation to Kerry in May, demonstrating its willingness to address climate-related issues despite ongoing challenges in the bilateral relationship. The talks aim to find common ground on climate initiatives while navigating the complex landscape of national security concerns, accusations of espionage, technology restrictions, trade policies, human rights, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, and trade tariffs.

Earlier interactions between Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua took place in January, highlighting the continued dialogue on climate matters. Secretary Yellen recently described her meetings with Chinese officials as constructive and beneficial in stabilizing the often-tense relations between the two superpowers.

While the visits have covered a wide range of topics, tangible progress has yet to materialize. Last year, China briefly suspended talks with the United States in response to a visit by then-Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. Nevertheless, both nations recognize the importance of addressing the climate crisis and seek to find common ground on this pressing global issue.

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