China mulls bid to host 2028 UN climate talks: sources

China is considering a bid to host the United Nations' climate summit in 2028, according to sources familiar with the matter. The proposal aims to enhance China's image as a leader in combating global warming. The UN climate talks, known as COP, rotate among regional blocs, and the 2028 summit will fall to the Asia-Pacific. India withdrew its offer to host COP33 in April.

South Korea has also shown interest in the role. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat informed AFP that they have not received any official nomination from the Asia-Pacific Regional Group. China has been positioning itself as a counterbalance to the United States, particularly under the Trump administration, which left the Paris climate agreement.

The country's interest in hosting the summit could stem from its desire to boost its climate credentials and capitalize on its status as the world's second-largest economy and leading exporter of green technologies. However, the decision to host the summit is not yet final, and there is no clear timeline for doing so. The US-China relationship has been a mixed bag, with periods of cooperation and tension over the past 35 years of the climate regime.

The 2028 summit, scheduled to follow the US presidential election, could offer an opportunity for renewed climate collaboration if a Democrat is elected in 2028.