California Governor Newsom's China Trip Signals Continued State-Level Engagement Amid National Tensions
Newsom's visit underlines a decade-long climate collaboration between California and China, and hints at future economic opportunities, despite deteriorating U.S.-China relations at the national level.
- California Governor Newsom's recent trip to China, which featured a surprise meeting with President Xi Jinping, highlights the possibility of engagement and collaboration between the U.S. and China at a state level, even amidst escalating national tensions.
- The visit builds upon a decade-long relationship between California and China, initiated by Governor Schwarzenegger and continued by Newsom, that focuses primarily on climate cooperation.
- The China-California relationship offers China a political safe zone and desirable partnership, potentially bypassing contentious national politics, as indicated by the warm reception Newsom received.
- The trip offered Newsom the opportunity to strengthen his diplomatic credentials, potentially foreshadowing a future presidential run, despite his disclaimers of presidential ambitions.
- Despite the positivity of Newsom's visit, it was met with some criticism back home due to lack of press access during his meeting with Xi Jinping, and calls for intervention over human rights violations such as the extended detention of a California pastor.
Washington Post 
Associated Press 
