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For Mr. Xi, Mr. Brown's visit could not have been better timed — allowing him to act on declarations that China would now become a global leader on climate change.
It is unusual for a Chinese president to meet with an American governor in such a formal setting in Beijing. Mr. Xi's session with Mr. Brown was covered extensively by the government-controlled news media. The state broadcaster featured it as the second story on the evening news, after a feature on China's ambitions in outer space, an indication of the meeting's importance to the ruling Communist Party.
At such a volatile moment in Washington, the meeting allowed Mr. Xi to focus on the common ground China shares with some American politicians. China has historically maintained relationships with leaders of parties not in power as a practical matter, in the West and in places like Myanmar and Taiwan.
Gary Locke, a former American ambassador to China and governor of Washington, said Chinese leaders were ”well aware" that Mr. Brown was considered a ”strong leader" on climate change and a critic of Mr. Trump.
Analysts said that Mr. Xi might have also wanted to show Mr. Trump that China was willing to work around him by strengthening ties with allies like Europe, India and California. Mr. Brown's endorsement may also serve as a buffer against critics who say that China is moving too slowly to curb emissions.
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Mr. Xi met with Mr. Brown in a gold-covered room in the Great Hall of the People where he often meets visiting foreign leaders. In their 45-minute conversation, Mr. Xi was joined by his top foreign policy officials as he discussed with Mr. Brown efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote alternative energy. As a gift, Mr. Brown gave Mr. Xi a first-edition copy of ”The Mountains of California," a 1894 book by John Muir, a naturalist who wrote extensively about the splendors of the California wilderness.
”I would say that the California-China collaboration has taken a real leap forward," Mr. Brown said as he recounted the meeting for reporters.
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