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China’s surprise visit to US-EU event hints at cooperation on methane
(Climate Home News, 17 Nov 2022) China’s climate envoy Xie Zhenhua unexpectedly dropped in on a Cop27 ministerial meeting led by the US and the EU, raising hopes that the world’s largest emitter will renew cooperation around methane emissions.
The meeting was a gathering of countries who signed the global methane pledge, a Cop26 initiative promising to collectively reduce methane emissions by 30% in 150 countries. China is one of less than 50 nations who have not signed.
Fifteen minutes into the meeting, in a Cop27 side-room in Sharm el-Sheikh, US climate envoy John Kerry tapped the speaker on the arm and pointed off stage, where Xie was entering the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen, sorry to interrupt but through the years I have been working very closely with someone who has become a friend of mine and I want to introduce someone who has become a friend of mine – China’s special envoy Xie Zhenhua,” Kerry said.
As the more than 70 ministers in the room applauded, Kerry passed the microphone to Xie who took off his mask and approached the lectern. The organisers scrambled to find a translator and hurried her by Xie’s side.
Climate Home News, 17 Nov 2022: China’s surprise visit to US-EU event hints at cooperation on methane
