California Governor Gavin Newsom began his week-long visit to China to discuss climate agreements on Monday.
According to a press release from the Governor’s office, Newsom began his trip in Hong Kong. He will travel through China for the rest of the week.
The Democratic governor also hopes to promote economic development, encourage tourism and nurture cultural exchanges between California and China. The focus of the trip, however, is to discuss key climate collaborations.
“The long-standing partnership – and competition – between California and China has led to measurable progress: electrification of ports, cleaning our air of smog and pollution, and innovating new technologies that build economies. This visit is an opportunity to share our successes, learn from one another and continue driving an ambitious climate agenda,” Gov. Newsom said in a statement.
In many political circles, Newsom is considered to be a leader on climate change. According to The New York Times, he was the only American invited to address the United Nations at a climate summit last month.
Across the aisle, Newsom’s Republican colleagues are speaking out against the governor’s trip.
“Governor Newsom’s effort to cozy up to the Chinese Communist Party is delusional,” Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) said, according to POLITICO.
Newsom has received support from many of his fellow Democrats. Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) told POLITICO he felt the visit was “totally appropriate.”
“There’s no way for us to address climate change at the global level without engaging China,” he said.
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