California Gov. Gavin Newsom will try to reinforce his state's role as a global leader on climate change as he begins a weeklong visit to China on Monday, a trip that presents both political risk and opportunity for crucial international collaboration. Newsom’s tour begins with a discussion in Hong Kong before he continues on to Beijing, Shanghai and the provinces of Guangdong and Jiangsu.
The White House did not comment on Newsom’s trip. Brown, the former governor, said political tensions don’t change the fact that greenhouse gases are still being emitted at an alarming rate. “Cooperation is the absolute requirement. And at this time, I would say California has been pushing the federal government in the direction of more dialogue with China,” Brown said. “It has a very important long-term effect.