President Obama and President Xi Ji Ping Discuss Relations and the Environment

By Jenny Chen

Rancho Mirage, Ca. – In the picturesque Sunnyland Estates in Rancho Mirage, California, President Obama greeted President Xi Ji Ping in a historic meeting that signified stronger communication between the United States and China. The two leaders met from June 7-8, 2013.

“Our decision to meet so early, I think, signifies the importance of the U.S.-China relationship.  It’s important not only for the prosperity of our two countries and the security of our two countries, but it’s also important for the Asia Pacific region and important for the world,” said President Obama at a press conference on June 7.

Both Obama and Xi discussed issues such as economic development, cyber security, and climate change. Xi emphasized China’s interest in a peaceful world.

“Our two countries have vast convergence of shared interests, from promoting our respective economic growth at home to ensuring the stability of the global economy; from addressing international and regional hotspot issues to dealing with all kinds of global challenges,” said Xi.

The United States and China agreed to work together and with other countries through multilateral approaches to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs, while continuing to include HFCs within the scope of UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol provisions for accounting and reporting of emissions.

HFCs are potent greenhouse gases used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and industrial applications. While they do not deplete the ozone layer, many are highly potent greenhouse gases. Their use is growing rapidly as replacements for ozone-depleting substances that are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Left unabated, HFC emissions growth could grow to nearly 20 percent of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, a serious climate mitigation concern.

Obama and Xi’s meeting have sparked intense discussion among political pundits. Gordon Chang for the Daily Beast speculated that Xi Jinping’s rhetoric during the meetings suggested that China would be taking a harder stance towards the U.S. in the future, while other media outlets such as The Washington Post judged the meeting as a successful bridge towards further talks.