Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, recently paid a visit to China, and one of the key topics was collaboration to address climate change. The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the California-China Climate Institute co-hosted the China-U.S. Great Wall Climate Dialogue and Great Wall Reception in Beijing, and Energy Foundation China (EF China) provided support to the event. The event was attended Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment; Wang Lixia, Chairwoman of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region; California Governor Gavin Newsom; Dee Dee Myers, Director of California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development; and other leading officials from Chinese and American government departments; high-level experts; representatives from universities; and representatives from philanthropy. Zou Ji, CEO & President of EF China, attended the event and shared his views.

At the Great Wall Climate Dialogue, the two parties introduced the policies, measures, management concepts, technical and financial support mechanisms, and progress of their respective provinces and states regarding addressing climate change and environmental protection. In addition, the two parties held in-depth exchanges on energy transition, promoting public health and air quality improvement, collaborative development of climate change, and climate change research and education, and other proposals. They expressed willingness to continue to work together to promote cooperation between Chinese provinces and American states on climate change issues.

At the event, President Zou Ji presided over the session titled "Local Responses to Climate Change Action and Research.” He emphasized that this exchange shows both parties have achieved fruitful results in the realm of local climate governance practices, but they still face challenges, and there is still a long way to go. Looking ahead, the future requires in-depth exchanges and cooperation. EF China is fully committed to support local level collaboration between China and the United States, and foster effective implementation of various initiatives.

Subsequently, representatives from both China and the United States convened at the Great Wall Climate Reception. R. Nicholas Burns, the U.S. Ambassador to China; Gavin Newsom, California Governor; and Zou Ji, CEO and President of EF China delivered speeches at the reception. Zou Ji articulated that China-U.S. cooperation in the climate domain is of great significance to global climate governance and the timely achievement of carbon neutrality objectives. EF China is enthusiastic about promoting collaboration between Chinese provinces and California in areas such as renewable energy development, the innovation and application of green technologies, and providing support for collaborative research, capacity building, and international exchanges on green and low-carbon development between Chinese provinces and American states.

Also present at the dialogue and reception were leaders from the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jiangsu Province, Guangdong Province, Hainan Province, Sichuan Province, California Air Resources Board, California Natural Resources Agency, California Energy Commission, California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, and other departments.