Gavin Newsom's Climate-Focused China Visit Includes Stops At Tesla Shanghai Factory And Hong Kong University

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) will embark on a climate change-centric tour of China that includes visits to Tesla’s Shanghai factory and Hong Kong University, as announced by his administration.

Politico reported the trip comes amid an ongoing frostiness in U.S.-China relations, albeit with some recent thawing due to visits from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and a congressional delegation led by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

The Newsom administration has emphasized that the governor will steer clear of controversial topics such as technology transfers, trade subsidies, and human rights issues in Hong Kong and China’s Xinjiang province. Instead, his focus will be on renewable energy and clean transportation sectors, which have been involved in trade disputes.

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The trip is aimed at strengthening ties between China and California and reinforcing collaboration on climate policies. This continues a relationship that goes back over fifteen years, initiated during former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s tenure.

This will be Newsom’s second formal international trip in his official capacity as governor, following a visit to El Salvador in 2019. His climate adviser, Lauren Sanchez, and representatives from California’s industry and environmental groups will accompany him.

Newsom intends to renew four climate-related agreements established by former Governor Jerry Brown and sign a new one with Shanghai. Key stops on the trip include Hong Kong and Shenzhen, cities that have made significant strides in disclosing carbon emissions and transitioning to electric buses, respectively.

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