California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss climate change and fentanyl.
Newsom is the first governor to visit China since 2019, according to Fox Los Angeles anchor Elix Michaelson.
NEWS: @GavinNewsom meets Chinese President Xi inside China’s 🇨🇳 Great Hall of the People.
— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) October 25, 2023
He’s the first Governor to visit China since 2019. @CAgovernor told me they focused mostly on ways they can tackle climate change & fentanyl abuse together. pic.twitter.com/0RMsEVXCSL
“I’m here in expectation, as you suggest, of turning the page, of renewing our friendship and re-engaging (on) foundational and fundamental issues that will determine our collective faith in the future,” Newsom said ahead of the meeting.
Xi responded positively to Newsom’s visit, saying, “I hope your visit will enhance mutual understanding between the two sides and play a positive role in expanding cooperation between China and California and promoting the healthy and stable development of Sino-U.S. relations.”
Newsom also expressed his support for the One-China policy, which acknowledges the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as the ruling government of China and Taiwan.
CCP Vice President Han Zheng called Newsom an “old friend.”
“The China-US relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, and the sub-national cooperation is an indispensable part to facilitate the sound and steady growth of China-U.S. relations,” Han stated. “I’m sure your weeklong trip will inject positive energy into the development of the China-U.S. relationship.”
