California Gov. Newsom has surprise meeting with China’s leader Xi amid warm welcome in Beijing

By HUIZHONG WU
Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom had a surprise meeting with China’s leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday after being warmly welcomed by other senior leaders in a display of friendliness that stands in sharp contrast to the dialogue between the United States and China in recent years. Newsom in opening remarks ahead of his meeting with Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, spoke of “renewing our friendship and reengaging foundational and fundamental issues” with China. Newsom is on a weeklong tour of China to push for climate cooperation. The display of friendliness comes ahead of Wang’s visit to the U.S.