Putting aside differences, China and US agree to fight climate crisis together

 US Special Envoy for the Weather John Kerry is addressing a news conference in Seoul. (AFP)

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Putting the differences aside, China and the US have agreed to fight the climate crisis together

This cooperation comes amid strained bilateral relations on issues including Taiwan, the South China Sea, Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

By Sutirtho Petronobis | Edited by Amit Chanda

Published on April 18, 2021 05:35 PM IST

China and the United States have agreed to cooperate in the fight against the climate crisis with "seriousness and urgency" and to enhance cooperation in multilateral processes, including the Paris Agreement.

The joint statement was issued on Sunday following a meeting between China's climate envoy Xi Zhenhua and his US counterpart John Kerry in Shanghai on Thursday and Friday, China's Ministry of Environment and the Environment said on Sunday.

The statement said that China and the US, along with other countries, are committed to cooperating with each other in tackling the climate crisis, to draw attention to the seriousness and urgency of its demands.

These include, he added, "cooperation in multilateral fronts such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement".

The two countries will continue to discuss "concrete action in 2020 to reduce emissions with the goal of reaching the Paris Agreement-adjusted temperature limits" in 2020.

Carrie's Shanghai stop, which was conducted under strict anti-Covid protocol, was the first visit by a Chinese official to the administration of US President George W. Biden.

The Sino-US joint statement came amid simultaneous strained bilateral relations on a number of issues, including Taiwan, the South China Sea, Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

The talks mark the resumption of exchanges on the atmosphere between the two largest greenhouse gas emitters between China and the US during the tenure of former US President Donald Trump.

Biden U.S. Brought back the Paris Climate Agreement; Washington had stepped down from Trump's presidency.

"Going forward, China and the United States are committed to strengthening the implementation of the Paris Agreement and working together with other parties," the joint statement said.

Climate cooperation between the two countries will include renewable energy, greenery and climate-resilient agriculture, low-carbon transport, and emissions of methane and other non-CO2 greenhouse gases.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Lee Yucheng welcomed the U.S. response to Biden's administration on international weather matters, but called for "redoubling efforts to make up for lost time during his absence." At a time when Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement.

Lee reiterated China's goals to complete its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

China said in a joint statement that it was looking forward to the Biden-led Virtual Climate Summit this week.

It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post.