Kerry: Climate cooperation could redefine US-China relations

Kerry told Wang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that the talks could mean a fresh start for the world’s two biggest emitters of greenhouse gases. The two countries are mired in disputes over Taiwan and trade, among other things. “Our hope is that this can be the start of a new definition of collaboration…to eliminate the differences between us,” Kerry told Wang in a conference room in the building.

Wang described Kerry as “my old friend” and said they “worked together to resolve a series of issues between the two parties”. Kerry also spoke about their past collaboration, including in Iran nuclear talks. Kerry served as Secretary of State from 2013 to 2017.

Kerry had a nearly 12-hour meeting with her counterpart Xie Zhenhua at the Beijing hotel on Monday. US State Department officials declined to comment on the meeting. Wang praised Kerry and Xie for their “hard work” during the talks. Kerry will be in China until Thursday.