As Democratic California governor Gavin Newsom set foot in Hong Kong to kickstart his week-long visit to China, Washington-based Politico carried an article likening him to a climate fighter coming to evangelize environmentalism in China.
That was an overstatement that attempted to fit a halo too large for a head.
Will China listen to a foreigner preaching in the country when it is known to welcome no such evangelists from the outside world?
Rather, the comparison would better suit the trait of Americans back home, presenting to them a California official capable of taking the climate cause afield to China, one of the world’s biggest greenhouse-gas emitters.
The commentary was right to note that Newsom’s prominence on climate issues could help him stand out in a crowded Democratic primary in 2028.
If Florida governor Ron DeSantis is considered a high flyer among Republicans, Newsom is a high-flying member of the Democrats. As his California predecessor Jeremy Brown once commented, Republicans are not treating climate change as urgently as it should be and Newsom could readily turn climate to his side should he aspire higher to eye the Oval Office.
Newsom’s visit to China can be a win-win for him and his host country.
California has more Chinese migrants than any other state and it is in Beijing’s strategic interest to strengthen ties with local government officials and politicians at a time when China’s relations with the US federal government in Washington are poles apart. This is even though recent visits by four cabinet officials of US President Joe Biden and a congressional delegation led by Senate leader Chuck Schumer have helped to stabilize the frosty relationship.
In addition to the Hong Kong stop – where Newsom participated in a conversation at the University of Hong Kong – his mainland stops include Beijing, Shanghai, JIangsu and Guangdong.
Prior to setting out for the week-long trip, his office made it clear that the whole visit would focus on climate matters only.
There will be no human rights and politics as the governor is adamant, according to his office, to leave all sensitive issues to the federal government – that is, the Biden administration.
It is expected that the Democrat from California will be warmly received by Chinese government officials.
According to a Reuters report, a number of MOUs on climate cooperation are already prepared to be signed by Newsom when he stops in Beijing and Guangdong.
If Newsom were able to return to California with a number of memorandums of understanding as reported, he would claim an achievement not even possible for Biden’s special envoy for climate John Kerry.
Is it not increasingly clear that Beijing is trying to differentiate US politicians between those it feels comfortable dealing with and others it will rebuke – and that Newsom belongs to the former?
If the 2024 presidential election is to be dominated by Biden and ex-Republican president Donald Trump – neither of whom is Beijing’s preference – Chinese policymakers could be eyeing potential candidates who may stand a chance in 2028.
The post Californian dreaming of China boost appeared first on Hong Kong News Hub.
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