Date

Nov 25, 1997

Description

This brief note captures John “Jack” Gibbons’ report on China’s current stance on a potential climate treaty right before the start of COP-3. Gibbons, Clinton’s science advisor, had an extensive meeting with China’s State Councilor and Minister for State on Science and Technology, Song Jian, and came to several conclusions: 1) controlling population (presumably population growth) was a top priority for China; 2) they are open to carbon sequestration and sinks measures; 3) China is “not wed to ‘emissions per person’” like other developing countries; 4) China sees great promise in research and development for clean fuels and technologies; and 5) they are open to joint implementation efforts. Point 3 on emissions reductions is perhaps most interesting; as Gibbson writes, “this could be important in the negotiations.”

Source

Clinton Presidential Library

Document published in following posting(s):

“All Roads Lead Through China”: The Clinton Administration, Climate Diplomacy, and China’s Environmental Awakening

Sep 17, 2026

White House, Presidential Notes Mail from Rosina M. Bierbaum to Todd Stern (cc Kathleen A. McGinty, David B. Sandalow, Peter R. Orszag, and Daniel K. Tarullo), “Subject: Gibbons reports on China’s current thoughts on the climate treaty,” 25 November 1997, [Classification Unknown]