Climate envoy John Kerry told US should be ‘pragmatic and positive’ towards China as he meets Beijing’s top diplomat Wang Yi
- China’s foreign policy chief warns that Washington cannot separate the issue from ‘the overall environment of US-China relations’
- Kerry’s visit comes as both countries, the world’s two largest carbon emitters, are battling extreme heatwaves
Describing the former secretary of state as an “old friend”, Wang called for a “healthy, stable and sustainable” US-China relations.
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He delivered the message on the third day of Kerry’s visit, which marked the latest sign of an easing of tensions between Washington and Beijing.
“China is willing to strengthen dialogue and communication with the United States, discuss mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly address climate change,” Wang said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
“China-US cooperation on climate change has huge potential, and at the same time, it cannot be separated from the understanding and support of the people of the two countries, and cannot be separated from the overall environment of China-US relations.
“[We] hope that the US will pursue a rational, pragmatic, and positive policy toward China, continue to adhere to the one-China principle, properly handle the Taiwan issue, and work with China to practice mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.”
