China's special envoy for climate change, Xie Zhenhua, said on Saturday he expects to continue direct consultations on climate change with his U.S. counterpart John Kerry after the COP27 summit in Egypt ends.

An announcement by the U.S. State Department on Friday said Kerry had tested positive for COVID-19 but was continuing to work at the COP27 conference by phone.

Xie described his talks with Kerry as constructive at a press conference on Saturday, and said they will continue consultations after the COP27 summit comes to a close.