Great Wall Climate Dialogue: California Governor Newsom calls for climate collaboration with China

The Great Wall Climate Dialogue wrapped up in Beijing on Thursday with calls for more cooperation between China and the United States to combat the effects of climate change. The meeting brought together China's Minister of Ecology and Environment, provincial leaders and the governor of the US state of California Gavin Newsom. CGTN's Dong Xue has more.

California's governor Gavin Newsom called for stronger climate collaboration between Beijing and Washington.

GAVIN NEWSOM Governor of California "China and the United States represent anywhere from 41 to 44 % of the world issues were never going to address the issue of climate change on this planet unless the United States and China work more collaboratively together."

At the Great Wall Climate Dialogue he put that message to China's Minister of Ecology and Environment HUANG Runqiu, and provincial leaders.

Minister HUANG Runqiu echoed the need for stronger collaboration.

Huang again reiterated Beijing's aim of reaching its carbon emissions peak in 2030, and carbon neutrality in 2060.

Adding that climate cooperation is a vital component of China's relationship with the US.

HUANG RUNQIU Minister of Ecology and Environment "China and the US started cooperation on environment and climate in the 1980s and it's an important part of relations. The two heads of state issued three joint statements on climate change, making historic contributions to the implementation of the Paris Agreement."

Newsom highlighted that California is on the front lines of climate change, saying the hots are getting a lot hotter.

He said the state also experienced record breaking floods this year, and that's why he sees a great sense of urgency, not just to identify problems but to put concrete changes into action.

DONG XUE Beijing "President Xi Jinping told Gavin Newsom yesterday that he sees potential for collaboration with the US on green development, adding that it is possible for the two countries to strengthen cooperation in areas like green development and climate change, and to make it a new highlight in the development of China-US relations. Echoing the positive tone, the Governor of California suggested climate cooperation is one way to help improve bilateral ties. Dongxue, CGTN, Beijing."