Stops include Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai
California Governor Gavin Newsom, seen by some as a possible U.S. presidential candidate next year if President Joe Biden’s re-election effort falters, will begin a week-long trip to China tomorrow that aims to boost ties between the state and the world’s No. 2 economy ahead of an APEC summit in San Francisco next month. The APEC gathering is being closely watched for a possible high-profile meeting between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping amid strained ties between the two countries.
Newsom will stop in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai as well as the province of Jiangsu for meetings to advance climate action, economic development, tourism and cultural exchanges between countries, the state leader’s office said in a press release on Wednesday. Newsom is expected to sign five memorandums of understanding and visit a Tesla plant in Shanghai while in the country.
Underscoring difficult relations with the U.S. and much of Europe, Xi this week warmly welcomed Vladimir Putin in Beijing despite an international warrant for the Russian leader’s arrest in connection with the war in Ukraine.
