East China’s Shanghai city and the U.S. state of California have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on climate and the environment, signaling a boost in cooperation for green development. The MOU was signed during California Governor Gavin Newsom’s visit to China, where he traveled to various cities including Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Yancheng to explore opportunities for collaboration in the fields of environmental protection and green development.
Experts in China believe that Newsom’s visit and the subsequent MOU signing highlight the potential for fruitful cooperation between the two countries. They emphasize that a win-win approach to China-U.S. relations will yield more positive benefits compared to a zero-sum game mentality.
During his visit, Governor Newsom met with Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng, who expressed Shanghai’s eagerness to strengthen their friendship and cooperation with California. Gong highlighted that California’s leading economy and expertise in areas such as information technology, biomedicine, and intelligent manufacturing make it an ideal partner for Shanghai. He also invited Californian enterprises to participate in the China International Import Expo and encouraged mutual investments to drive common development.
The focus of the MOU between Shanghai and California is to deepen collaboration in environmental protection, green energy, harbor emission reduction, offshore wind energy, and other areas of green and low-carbon development. Mayor Gong stressed the importance of mutual learning and promoting sustainable development through practical cooperation.
Governor Newsom acknowledged the similarities between California and Shanghai, particularly in their specialization in biopharmaceuticals, information technology, artificial intelligence, and higher education. He expressed the strong need for enhanced cooperation between the two regions in areas of environmental protection and climate change. Newsom believes that by working together, California and Shanghai can lead the world in the green transition.
Newsom’s visit to various Chinese cities, where he learned about new energy developments and visited local companies, aims to dispel misconceptions perpetuated by some Western media outlets. Through these visits, he hopes to lay the foundation for future cooperation and facilitate a better understanding of China’s true level of development.
Chinese experts commend Newsom’s focus on new energy cooperation, recognizing that it opens up opportunities for collaboration in achieving green development. They also highlight the importance of communication and exchanges between China and the U.S. at all levels to foster pragmatic cooperation, reduce misunderstandings, and achieve mutual benefits.
In conclusion, the MOU signing between Shanghai and California signifies a significant step towards enhancing cooperation in the areas of environmental protection, climate change, and clean energy development. The visit by Governor Newsom to multiple Chinese cities highlights the potential for collaboration in green development and aims to foster better understanding between the two countries. The cooperation between Shanghai and California is expected to contribute to the global effort of achieving a sustainable and low-carbon future.
