California Governor Gavin Newsom made a surprise visit to Beijing on Wednesday, where he had a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trip, which focused on climate change and fentanyl, has attracted attention due to the tense relations between the United States and China in recent years. Newsom, who is considered a top surrogate for President Biden's potential 2024 campaign, expressed his hope to renew friendship and engage in discussions on foundational issues that will determine the future. Prior to meeting with President Xi, Newsom had a meeting with Wang Yi, China's top diplomat. During the closed-door meetings, Chinese officials used the opportunity to discuss U.S.-China relations, and Wang is preparing to visit the U.S. on Thursday.

While the main agenda of Newsom's trip was to promote cooperation on climate change, the discussions with President Xi also touched on fentanyl, a synthetic drug that has become a leading killer of young people in the U.S. Newsom highlighted China's role in combatting the transnational shipping of precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl. However, Republican members of Congress have accused Beijing of fueling the flow of these chemicals across the U.S.-Mexico border through cartels. Despite the criticism, Newsom emphasized the importance of the U.S.-China relationship in addressing the climate crisis, stating that "divorce is not an option."

Newsom also raised human rights issues with Wang and discussed Taiwan, a sensitive topic for Beijing. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while the U.S. recognizes the One-China policy. Newsom expressed his support for the policy and his desire to avoid any independence movements in Taiwan.

Critics of Newsom's trip have questioned his focus on climate change and his failure to meet with California's fossil fuel workers who have lost their jobs due to his policies. They also pointed out the irony of Newsom's travel to China on a plane powered by fossil fuels while advocating for climate action. Former Rep. Darrell Issa criticized Newsom for considering China a trusted partner and suggested that China should not be an example for the U.S. to follow.

Despite the criticism, Newsom's visit was welcomed by Chinese officials. Wang, the head of the Communist Party's office of foreign affairs, stated that he views Newsom's trip positively and believes it will contribute to the development of China-U.S. relations. Newsom also met with Vice President Han Zheng, who referred to him as an "old friend" and emphasized the importance of sub-national cooperation in facilitating the growth of the bilateral relationship. The governor also signed a memorandum on deepening cooperation in environmental issues with the head of China's National Development and Reform Commission.

Newsom's visit to China is significant as it comes amid a flurry of exchanges between Chinese and American officials and businesspeople, raising expectations of a potential visit by President Xi to the United States. The trip also highlights the long history of climate collaboration between California and China, with previous governors Jerry Brown and Arnold Schwarzenegger also visiting the country to share knowledge on reducing air pollution and emissions. Newsom's efforts to tackle the climate crisis have elevated his national profile and fueled speculation about a potential presidential run in the future.

Overall, Newsom's visit to China focused on promoting cooperation on climate change and addressing the fentanyl issue. The discussions with President Xi and other senior Chinese officials touched on various topics, including U.S.-China relations, human rights, and Taiwan. While critics have raised concerns about his priorities and China's trustworthiness as a partner, Chinese officials view Newsom's visit positively and believe it can contribute to the development of bilateral relations. The trip also reflects the longstanding climate collaboration between California and China and Newsom's national profile as a climate advocate.