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Saturday marked John Kerry’s inaugural visit to China as acting
Secretary of State. While
North Korea’s most recent episode of belligerence took center stage and dominated
the news, the United States and China also released a joint statement
promising cooperation on climate change.
The
joint statement called for “forceful” action on climate change through
“large-scale” cooperation. According to the statement,
Both sides also noted the
significant and mutual benefits of intensified action and cooperation on
climate change, including enhanced energy security, a cleaner environment, and
more abundant natural resources. They also reaffirmed that working together
both in the multilateral negotiation and to advance concrete action on climate
change can serve as a pillar of the bilateral relationship, build mutual trust
and respect, and pave the way for a stronger overall collaboration. Both sides
noted a common interest in developing and deploying new environmental and clean
energy technologies that promote economic prosperity and job creation while
reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
While
this is not the first example of engagement between the United States and China
on climate change, it is notably different than previous arrangements. The
agreement increases dialogue by forming a Climate Change Working Group to determine
specific ways in which the two countries can advance climate cooperation
through research, conservation and technology. The Working Group will deliver a
report at July’s Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED), which is an annual
meeting between American and Chinese cabinet level officials to discuss broad strategic,
economic and security opportunities and challenges.
www.cnas.org
2013-04-16 17:02:30