John Kerry, special presidential envoy for climate, is scheduled to visit Beijing from July 16 to 19. This visit aims to address the climate crisis and promote a successful COP28. It marks the resumption of in-person communication between the United States and China, which had been disrupted by the pandemic and geopolitical tensions.

This will be the third time in a month that a high-level U.S. official has traveled to China for talks. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have previously visited Beijing.

While these meetings have not yet produced specific actions, they have led to a general agreement on the need to increase flights between the two countries. However, efforts to reinstate military-to-military communication have not been successful so far.

The United States and China have recognized that they can cooperate on climate and the macroeconomy. After a period of suspension, communication on climate issues resumed following a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Special climate envoys from both countries have participated in virtual meetings and events to discuss climate change.

Regarding Kerry’s upcoming trip to Beijing, specific Chinese officials that he will meet have not been disclosed. Both countries have expressed their intention to exchange views on cooperation for tackling climate change.

In June, the average national temperature in China was 0.7 degrees Celsius (33 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than the previous year, making it the second-hottest June since 1961. Beijing has experienced daily temperature highs nearing 37.8 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) for several weeks, and other parts of the country have seen heavy rainfall and flash floods.

Record heat and drought in Canada have also caused wildfires, resulting in smoky air over U.S. cities like New York.