China says climate onus on US in John Kerry talks
- The US envoy and Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng held virtual talks during the former’s trip to Shanghai
- Kerry is the first official from the current administration to visit China, signalling hopes that the two powers can work together on the global challenge
China said on Friday that the United States needed to take more responsibility on climate change but welcomed greater cooperation after a visit by envoy John Kerry, according to state media.
“China attaches importance to carrying out dialogue and cooperation on climate change with the US side,” said Vice-Premier Han Zheng, according to state news agency Xinhua.
“China welcomes the US return to the Paris agreement, and expects the US side to uphold the agreement, shoulder its due responsibilities and make due contributions,” Han said after virtual talks with Kerry, who visited Shanghai where he met his Chinese counterpart.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying was more blunt on Twitter as she highlighted the US withdrawal from the Paris accord under former president Donald Trump.
Biden immediately returned to the deal and next week holds a virtual summit of world leaders on climate.
“Its return is by no means a glorious comeback but rather a truant getting back to class,” Hua said of the United States.