U.S. climate change diplomat John Podesta and Chinese climate envoy Liu Zhenmin are set to convene in Washington in May for talks centered around climate cooperation, marking Liu's first visit to Washington following his appointment replacing Xie Zhenhua. While Liu has been in touch with Podesta informally since stepping into his role as the top U.S. climate diplomat, the scheduled meeting represents the first official dialogue between the climate envoys of the two largest carbon emitters in the world.
During a readout from Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to China, it was confirmed that Liu would visit the United States, further solidifying the upcoming talks. Sources familiar with Liu's visit stated that he is expected to be in Washington from May 8 to May 10 before traveling to New York, emphasizing the duration and extent of the discussions planned during his trip. The meeting between Podesta and Liu holds significance in the context of the vital role played by former envoys Kerry and Xie in negotiating critical agreements at the COP28 Climate Summit, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering positive outcomes in global climate initiatives despite ongoing challenges in U.S.-China relations.
The prospect of renewed dialogue between the climate envoys comes at a time when tensions persist over trade and security issues, with U.S. solar companies recently filing trade petitions seeking penalties on solar components from Chinese factories in certain regions. The diplomatic engagement between Podesta and Liu signifies a significant step in maintaining diplomatic channels on climate change, following the groundwork laid by their predecessors in navigating intricate challenges to advance environmental goals on an international scale.