California governor visits China and says his state will always be a partner on climate change

By KANIS LEUNG
Associated Press

HONG KONG (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom opened a weeklong trip to China with an assurance that his state will always be a partner on climate issues no matter how the U.S. presidential election turns out next year. Newsom’s visit comes as U.S.-Chinese relations have witnessed a sharp deterioration in recent years due to trade disputes, U.S. support for self-governing Taiwan and human rights concerns, among other contentious issues. He began his visit with a climate-themed discussion at The University of Hong Kong. Climate remains one area where collaboration is seen as possible. Both countries appear to have fully re-engaged in the run-up to the next U.N. climate change conference, which opens Nov. 30 in Dubai.