Kerry Gives China a Pass on Human Rights in Exchange for Climate Promises

When Xie Zhenhua, China’s top climate negotiator, took to the podium Wednesday at the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow to announce a U.S.–China declaration on methane emissions and other issues, he revealed that his team had met their American counterparts some 30 times, including twice in China, in Tianjin.

So a reporter asked America’s lead negotiator, John Kerry, how and whether, during his team’s nearly three dozen encounters with China’s team, they addressed Beijing’s use of forced labor and other human-rights issues in Xinjiang. The former secretary of state’s answer was unsurprising to anyone who’s listened to him in recent months — but nevertheless should be jarring: “We’re honest about the differences, and we certainly know what they are, and we’ve articulated them. But that’s not my lane here.”

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Jimmy Quinn

Jimmy Quinn is the former national security correspondent for National Review.

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When Xie Zhenhua, China’s top climate negotiator, took to the podium Wednesday at the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow to announce a U.S.–China declaration on methane emissions and other issues, he revealed that his team had met their American counterparts some 30 times, including twice in China, in Tianjin.

So a reporter asked America’s lead negotiator, John Kerry, how and whether, during his team’s nearly three dozen encounters with China’s team, they addressed Beijing’s use of forced labor and other human-rights issues in Xinjiang. The former secretary of state’s answer was unsurprising to anyone who’s listened to him in recent months — but nevertheless should be jarring: “We’re honest about the differences, and we certainly know what they are, and we’ve articulated them. But that’s not my lane here.”