Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with California governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, state media reported, as the head of the United States’ economic powerhouse state carries out a week-long tour of China.
Newsom — whose state has the largest economy in the United States and who has long been touted as a future presidential candidate — has said his visit will focus on climate change.
“California and China hold the keys to solving the climate crisis,” the governor said in a statement announcing his visit.
“As two of the world’s largest economies, our partnership is essential to delivering climate action for our communities and beyond,” he added.
Newsom arrived in the southern semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong on Monday, where he held a talk on climate change.
He then travelled to the neighbouring city of Shenzhen, which has pioneered the use of renewable energy in public transport, touring an electric bus station.
Newsom on Wednesday met with Beijing’s top diplomat Wang Yi, state media reported.
