Gavin Newsom Gets Rave Review From China

California Governor Gavin Newsom is receiving praise from a Chinese publication that has previously criticized American officials and politicians.

Newsom began his seven-day trip to China on Monday and has put climate change at the top of his agenda. Visits are planned to Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai, as well as Jiangsu province.

A new editorial published Monday by the Global Times , a nationalist English-language tabloid run by the propaganda arm of the ruling Communist Party, said Newsom was one of the most popular American officials to travel abroad, citing the governor's first trip there. as a pragmatic relationship, while all US-China relations in recent years have been characterized by fear and bitterness.

“Of course, the Chinese now do not trust Washington in general and are suspicious of some American politicians. However, Governor Newsom's visit was greeted with sincerity and warmth, as "it's always nice to greet a friend from afar," the article said.

The Global Times editorial also said Newsom "developed deep ties with China" during his tenure as former mayor of San Francisco, and praised him for trying to act at a time when China and the United States were becoming increasingly restrictive to achieving new goals. progress.

“Governor Newsom's visit is expected to bring significant results not only in enhancing exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including trade, climate change, technology, education, culture and youth, but also in developing the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between China and California. . ", the editors stated.

He added: "It is no exaggeration to say that this traditional friendship is an important catalyst for mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between China and the United States." but also for peace and stability throughout the world.”

Newsom, accompanied by his wife Jennifer, will also talk about economic development and tourism, as well as combating xenophobia.

China and California are the world's second and fifth largest economies, respectively. The majority of Chinese immigrants, about 32%, currently live in California.

“California and China play a key role in solving the climate crisis... Our decades-long collaboration shows what we can achieve together: clean the air, accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, protect people from extreme weather, and protect the land and seas. Newsom said in a statement last week.

Robert Sutter, a professor of international affairs at George Washington University's Elliott School, told Newsweek by phone Monday that Newsom's political outspokenness appears to be at odds with the positions of many U.S. elected officials who view China solely as an adversary.

Sutter describes Newsom as a “very important player” on the political scene who does not pursue hardline policies to the detriment of China.

"It's really surprising how most politicians in the United States have taken a very strong and critical stance toward China," Sutter said. “And I think Mr. Newsom is not doing that... The other thing is that in many ways the Chinese authorities are trying to be more open.”

He mentioned the fact that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recently led a bipartisan delegation to China. This "contact work," as Sutter describes it, aims to reverse a negative trend in U.S.-China diplomacy by fostering areas of agreement without compromising broader beliefs.

Kate Logan, deputy climate director at the Asia Society Policy Institute, told Newsweek by phone on Monday that Newsom's visit could clearly be seen as highly symbolic and another step in a positive direction for both countries on issues such as offshore wind and electric vehicles. and electricity. Production. are under discussion.

The relationship between Chinese and California officials began during Arnold Schwarzenegger's tenure as governor and was continued by former Gov. Jerry Brown, he added.

While California played a “crucial role” in several negotiations leading to the 2015 Paris climate agreement, some of that push for more ambitious policies may have been dampened by a long history of wider tensions in both countries caused by Covid-19. was delayed. . pandemic, and most recently former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan.

“It's becoming increasingly difficult, but I think both countries understand that it is in their interests to find a more pragmatic and institutionalized model of cooperation,” Logan said. “Other issues remain on the agenda and will be a constant factor. Industrial policy complicates matters as other policies are developed... Perhaps cautious optimism is the way forward.”

In addition, the Global Times, whose views do not always reflect official Chinese policy, has already accused the United States of “fueling the risk of war on a global scale.” The country has also been plagued by political disputes over issues such as foreign aid, including a split in the US House of Representatives over aid to fund Ukraine's defense against Russia in the ongoing war.

China has also publicly called for "calm and restraint" in the Middle East as the war between Israel and Hamas intensifies, a position shared by progressive lawmakers in Congress.

“I think it’s hard to be pragmatic when you feel like you’re facing a huge problem,” Sutter said. “And the US government - I think it's pretty clear - sees significant challenges coming from China, from a strategic point of view, from an economic point of view, and from a governance point of view. There are a lot of them in all these aspects.” There are a lot of problems coming from China and it is really dangerous.

“And the Chinese are acting as if they had nothing to do with this, which of course is completely false and untrue, and they are trying to mislead on this issue.” they said they were harmless etc but they weren't. They were there to capture us, and they are still here.

Sutter said the past six years of relations between the two U.S. administrations have further weakened ties and caused officials to view China as an even greater threat. A coherent vision of the complex challenges of defending America from the onslaught of a “very great threat” is part of diplomacy.

“We need to stop these trends, and I think that's what the US government has been doing for some time: strengthening our forces at home, negotiating measures abroad that can work with our allies and partners, and helping us solve these Problems". this is China,” he said.

He continues: “This is the basic reality. It's not a matter of prestige, it's not that we're upset. This is fundamental. Which system will dominate the world in the future? Future? Which system will dominate the world in the future? Where do your children live? Similar thoughts have been circulating in Washington for several years.

Newsweek emailed Newsom's office seeking comment.

Updated 10/23/23 12:42 pm ET: This story has been updated with comments from Kate Logan.

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