By Valerie Volcovici
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. climate change diplomat John Podesta will meet his Chinese counterpart Liu Zhenmin in Washington in May, resuming bilateral talks on climate cooperation amid simmering tensions over trade and security, the report said. Biden administration and Chinese officials.
This is Liu’s first visit to Washington in his new role, after replacing veteran climate envoy Xie Zhenhua, who resigned in January for health reasons.
Liu has spoken with Podesta since stepping into his new role as America’s top climate diplomat earlier this year, replacing former Secretary of State John Kerry. However, envoys from the world’s two biggest emitters have not yet held formal talks.
China’s Foreign Ministry also said Liu would visit the United States, as evidenced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to China last week.
Liu told Bloomberg TV that he will meet with Podesta when he visits the United States.
A source familiar with the visit said Liu will be in Washington from May 8 to 10. The source said Liu will also travel to New York.
The Biden administration has not confirmed when the May rallies will take place.
Kerry and Xie played a key role in achieving the final outcome at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, agreeing on bilateral language that paved the way for broad acceptance of an agreement by all countries to transition away from fossil fuels .
They also maintained cordial personal ties during periods of tension between the US and China, keeping an open diplomatic channel on climate change.
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The visit comes as U.S. solar companies filed new trade petitions last week, asking the Biden administration to impose new fines on solar components from Chinese factories in four Southeast Asian countries.
