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Joe Biden cabinet: John Kerry as climate tsar ‘may cool US-China tensions’
- Kerry and Chinese counterparts cooperated on climate change when he was secretary of state in the Obama administration
- But restoring international ties severed under Donald Trump may prove difficult or create fresh power struggles with Beijing
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John Kerry’s appointment as US climate envoy and Washington’s expected pivot on climate change policy could help find common ground with Beijing under president-elect Joe Biden, Chinese foreign policy observers said.
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The return of former secretary of state Kerry to a cabinet-level role was an early sign of the Biden administration setting a more predictable course for its dealings with China, some argued. However, one said renewed engagement by a more multilateral Washington could bring it into conflict with Beijing over who should lead on certain issues globally.
Even if US-China tensions were to remain over economic, technological and other issues, having familiar faces from past administrations could stabilise relations after four tumultuous years under President Donald Trump, they said.
Kerry’s appointment was one of six National Security Council positions filled on Monday. They also included Antony Blinken being picked for secretary of state when Biden takes office in January.
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Chinese scientists cover melting glacier with quilts to slow loss linked to climate change
Chinese scientists cover melting glacier with quilts to slow loss linked to climate change
“Kerry is seen as a very experienced official, with a good knowledge of China, and having him as climate ambassador brings new opportunities for Sino-US cooperation,” Tao Wenzhao, a US-China relations expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said.
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