US climate change diplomat John Podesta said on Tuesday he would meet his Chinese counterpart Liu Zhenmin in Washington in early May, resuming bilateral negotiations on climate cooperation amid simmering tensions over trade and security.
This is Liu's first visit to Washington in his new role, after replacing former climate envoy Xie Zhenhua, who resigned for health reasons in January.
Liu has spoken with Podesta since taking up his new role as America's top climate diplomat earlier this year, replacing former Secretary of State John Kerry. However, envoys from the world's two largest emitters have yet to hold formal negotiations.
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Podesta told Bloomberg TV that he would meet with Liu during his visit to the United States.
Solar panels are installed in front of factories at Jinjie Industrial Park in Shenmu, Shaanxi province, China, November 20, 2023. U.S. climate change diplomat John Podesta will meet his Chinese counterpart Liu Zhenmin in Washington in May 2024. (Reuters/Colleen Howe/File photo)
A source familiar with the matter said Liu would be in Washington from May 8 to 10. The source added that Liu would also travel to New York.
China's Foreign Ministry also said Liu would visit the United States in a report on Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to China last week.
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Kerry and Xie played a key role in negotiating the final outcome of the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, agreeing to bilateral language that paved the way for broad acceptance of a deal by all countries to abandon fossil fuels .
They also maintained cordial personal ties during periods of tension between the United States and China, keeping the diplomatic channel open on climate change.
The visit comes as U.S. solar companies filed new trade petitions last week, asking the Biden administration to impose new sanctions on solar components from Chinese factories in four Southeast Asian countries.