Gavin Newsom Ignores Intelligence Warnings, Strengthens Ties With CCP-Linked Climate Group
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Controversial Climate Partnership with China
California governor Gavin Newsom recently made headlines for his efforts to clean up San Francisco ahead of Chinese president Xi Jinping’s visit to the city. However, this is just the beginning of a growing climate partnership between Sacramento and Beijing.
The heart of this relationship lies in the California-China Climate Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. Established in 2019 by former California Governor Jerry Brown, this institute collaborates with various Chinese Communist Party organizations to promote climate cooperation between California and China. Brown, along with Xie Zhenhua, China’s special representative for climate change affairs, played a key role in organizing Newsom’s trip to China in October.
In 2021, Newsom officially recognized the California-China Climate Institute as a state-sponsored group through legislation, requiring it to work with Chinese institutions to train California government leaders on climate issues.
The institute’s partners include Tsinghua University, which has been labeled a “very high risk” institution by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute due to its alleged involvement in cyberattacks. Additionally, the institute collaborates with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, a group that the State Department has warned is used by Beijing to influence state and local leaders for its own global agenda.
California has become a breeding ground for progressive politicians who are willing to align themselves with China. The Chinese People’s Association, in collaboration with the California-China Climate Institute, praised California for its cooperation and close exchanges with China, positioning the state at the forefront of U.S.-China relations.
Experts have raised concerns about Newsom’s involvement in China’s climate agenda. Mary Kissel, a national security expert, highlighted California as a target for CCP influence operations due to its large mainland population and its role as an innovation hub in Silicon Valley. Anders Corr, an intelligence analyst, warned that China aims to compromise influential individuals like Newsom to weaken Washington’s bargaining power and promote its own economic interests.
However, the California-China Climate Institute argues that partnering with China is necessary to address the climate crisis. According to a spokesperson for the institute, their focus is on sharing research, solutions, and encouraging dialogue to ensure that California, the U.S., and China, as the world’s largest emitter, can collectively reduce harmful climate pollution.
While relations between the U.S. and China remain strained at the federal level, the Biden administration has faced criticism for maintaining green energy partnerships with China while remaining silent on Beijing’s human rights abuses. Newsom, during his meeting with Xi, chose to prioritize climate discussions over addressing China’s human rights violations against the Uyghurs.
Other progressive California politicians, including Jerry Brown, Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, and California treasurer Fiona Ma, have also engaged with Chinese organizations, further fueling concerns about China’s influence in the state.
Newsom’s office declined to comment on these matters.
What is the level of transparency and accountability within the California-China Climate Institute, and how does it impact the decision-making processes and interests of California
S. These partnerships raise concerns about the potential for Chinese influence in California’s climate policies and decision-making processes.
One of the main objectives of the California-China Climate Institute is to facilitate technology transfers between California and China. While the exchange of ideas and innovations is crucial for addressing climate change, there are valid concerns about the protection of intellectual property rights and the security of advanced technologies. Critics argue that by collaborating closely with Chinese entities, California may inadvertently be exposing sensitive information and technologies to a country known for its aggressive tactics in acquiring foreign intellectual property.
Moreover, critics argue that California’s climate partnership with China undermines the United States’ position on global climate leadership. As the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China has a long track record of falling short on its commitments to reduce emissions. By partnering with China, California risks legitimizing its inadequate climate action and diverting attention from other nations that are genuinely working towards meaningful emissions reductions.
Another point of contention is the transparency and accountability of the institute. Despite being officially recognized as a state-sponsored group, the California-China Climate Institute operates with limited public oversight and transparency. This lack of transparency raises questions about the decision-making processes within the institute and whether it is truly serving the best interests of the state of California.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been growing scrutiny of China’s role in global affairs, including its influence over international organizations and its handling of public health crises. Against this backdrop, California’s deepening climate partnership with China raises concerns about the potential for undue influence and the prioritization of geopolitical interests over effective climate action.
While the goal of addressing climate change requires global cooperation, it is essential to ensure that partnerships and collaborations are based on mutual respect, transparency, and shared values. California’s climate partnership with China should be subject to careful scrutiny and robust oversight to safeguard against any potential risks to the state’s interests and ensure that climate action is driven by science, integrity, and the shared goal of a sustainable future.
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