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Julia Johnson, Politics Reporter


NextImg:Newsom's trip to China to discuss climate change filled with controversy


Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) embarked on a trip to China last week and faced criticism for its stated purpose of discussing climate change and for coming during a time of global turmoil as wars rage on in both Israel and Ukraine —but now, the details of the governor's visit are facing their own specific flak.

As he visited with leaders in the country, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Newsom was pressed on what he did, and didn't, discuss with them. He was further criticized for the trip's itinerary and locations, in addition to various viral moments. Newsom has been accused of having ambitions to ascend to a higher office and has been floated as a potential successor to President Joe Biden as he continues to build his national — and international — profile.

ONLY NEWSOM CAN GO TO CHINA? CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR TAKES HIS SHOW ON THE ROAD

Here are the biggest controversies from the California governor's trip.

Newsom knocks over child during basketball game

In a viral video that emerged from his trip, Newsom can be seen playing basketball against Chinese children. However, he appears to trip while dribbling before taking down one child. He then hugged the child and patted him playfully. The apparent accident quickly became fodder for social media critics, given the visit's already unusual nature.


"OMG my governor is so cool and relatable! Watch him take out a small child while desperately trying to emulate Barack Obama while on a foreign visit to one of the world's leading dictators," wrote Alliance of Los Angeles County Parents founder Julie Hamill on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The tumble prompted the Los Angeles Times's Sacramento Bureau Chief to point to it as an example of the inherent dangers of an "indulgent" photo opportunity. She noted that Newsom donned dress shoes and non-athletic apparel for the pickup game.

Newsom skips over human rights with Xi

The California governor received backlash for failing to address the issue of human rights with Xi during their meeting, despite the ongoing oppression of Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang region.

“I can’t be everything to everybody every moment of every minute of every day," he defended the omission to reporters after his meeting.

According to Newsom, the issue did come up with China's foreign minister. However, he only discussed climate change and fentanyl with Xi.

Newsom begins trip in Hong Kong

His visit faced further objection for its chosen beginning destination: Hong Kong. The city, a special administrative region of China, has long pushed for democracy, but these movements have often been squashed by the Chinese government.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Newsom's decision to stop in the city left many human rights organizations unhappy. In response, more than 50 of these organizations signed a joint statement expressing deep disappointment in his choice not to address human rights, especially while being on the ground in a city such as Hong Kong.

"The governor’s trip to Hong Kong cannot but signal that California is not on the same page as the United States generally with respect to the CCP’s effective takeover of Hong Kong," one critic, Times Wang of Farra & Wang PLLC, said.