Early progress hours before Joe Biden-Xi Jinping meeting as rare US-China climate accord is announced

In a significant development, China and the United States have announced a joint effort to address the climate crisis. This announcement came as Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in San Francisco for his first visit to the U. S. in six years. The meeting between President Xi and President Joe Biden is set to take place at the historic Filoli estate, located a bit away from San Francisco. The talks are scheduled to last several hours and are part of the lead-up to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. The location and security measures, such as a no-fly zone for drones, underscore the importance of the meeting and the delicate nature of U. S. -China relations. The details of the meeting were closely guarded and only released shortly before it was to occur. The backdrop for this meeting includes recent tensions between the two nations, including the U. S. downing of a Chinese surveillance balloon and disagreements over Taiwan and the South China Sea. Despite these challenges, Biden has expressed a desire to improve relations and reestablish communication channels, including military contacts. Upon his arrival, President Xi was greeted by several U. S. officials and then proceeded to San Francisco, where mixed reactions to his visit were anticipated. During his stay, Xi will engage with other global leaders and business figures, and he is scheduled to speak at a dinner event hosted by organizations that focus on U. S. -China business relations. This dinner has drawn criticism from some U. S. lawmakers who are concerned about China's human rights issues and view China as a major threat. Hours before the Biden-Xi summit, the two countries committed to renewed climate cooperation, aiming to increase renewable energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. They also agreed to include methane in their emission reduction plans and to work on other environmental issues. The agreement came after discussions between climate representatives from both countries and is seen as a crucial step for the upcoming COP28 climate talks. Climate experts have welcomed the renewed cooperation, though they note the absence of a commitment from China to phase out coal. The joint statement emphasized the importance of the COP28 meeting and the need for the two largest carbon emitters to collaborate in addressing climate challenges. The countries also plan to restart energy policy dialogues and initiate working groups focused on methane reduction. They have pledged to undertake significant projects in carbon capture and storage by the end of the decade. This climate agreement is seen as a bright spot in the complex U. S. -China relationship, with both nations acknowledging the global impact of the climate crisis and recommitting to the goals of the 2015 Paris climate accord. The agreement reflects a balance between equity and differentiated responsibilities, taking into account the varying national circumstances of each country.