US Treasury Chief Seeks China’s Cooperation on Climate and Critical Global Matters

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BEIJING, CHINA (Reuters) U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called for cooperation with China on climate change and other global challenges during a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. Yellen has defended US technology export restrictions that have heightened tensions between the two countries, and has called for maintaining prosperous economic and financial relations despite disagreements.

She stressed the need to address critical global issues such as the emerging and developing world debt crisis and climate change. She emphasizes her obligation to work together for the benefit of both countries’ economies and the interests of others.

Yellen’s visit is part of a broader effort by U.S. officials to improve relations with China, which is bogged down in disputes over technology, security and Taiwan, among others. Chinese leaders, including Premier Li Qiang, received an enthusiastic welcome but showed no sign of policy changes to defuse tensions.

The purpose of Ms Yellen’s visit is to facilitate communication, and no major reconciliation is expected on controversial issues. Notably, Yellen does not plan to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping during her visit.

Talks on climate change between China and the United States were interrupted last August following a visit to Taiwan by former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. But President Joe Biden’s climate chief, John Kerry, is scheduled to visit China next week, suggesting that climate change cooperation between the two countries is once again in focus. China and the United States are the world’s largest carbon emitters, so it’s important to work together on climate issues.

Vice Premier He, who serves as President Xi Jinping’s top economic adviser and China’s chief envoy to the United States on trade and financial issues, said he would support the November 2022 agreement between President Biden and President Xi to improve relations. claiming to return. He emphasizes the need for responsibility to history, people and the world.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which envisions massive investments in infrastructure projects around the world, is helping countries like Zambia pay off their debt. Finance officials have called this one area where cooperation has yielded positive results. Yellen also met with China’s new central bank governor Pan Gongsheng and China’s climate-related financial industry experts to further emphasize the importance of working together to tackle global challenges.

Yellen defended U.S. technology export restrictions and expressed concern over Chinese government subsidies and protectionism, but called for open communication to avoid misunderstandings and prevent further deterioration of economic and financial ties between the two countries. 

Ms. Yellen emphasized the importance of US-China cooperation on global issues such as climate change and emerging market debt crises. This suggests that concerted efforts by major powers are needed to address these challenges. The text acknowledges that US-China relations are at a rock bottom over trade, technology and the Taiwan dispute.

Yellen’s visit aims to revitalize communications and improve economic and financial relations between the two countries. Yellen’s focus on climate change reflects his growing awareness of its global importance. John Kerry’s reference to Japan underscores the US government’s commitment to prioritizing climate change cooperation with China. References to China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative highlight potential areas for cooperation, as evidenced by debt reductions in countries such as Zambia.

This suggests that there are areas where mutual cooperation can yield positive results, despite disagreements. Yellen stressed the need for open communication to avoid any misunderstanding and prevent further deterioration in US-China economic and financial relations. This highlights the importance of dialogue in resolving disagreements and finding common ground.

Overall, this analysis highlights the complexity of US-China relations, with both countries recognizing the importance of cooperating on global challenges while managing differences and trade frictions.