THE BUZZ: FOREIGN POLICY FLEX — Gov. Gavin Newsom is aiming to chart his own course on U.S.-China relations: Partnership over hawkishness. The Democratic governor will make the most ambitious and risky foreign policy move of his political career as he travels to China next week to meet with leaders of the communist regime about climate change. Newsom’s trip signals his desire to help shape a more nuanced national narrative on China during a time of growing tensions between the two countries. The governor’s administration said he will be “predominantly focused on climate,” indicating that Newsom won’t touch on a host of hot-button issues enveloping Beijing. “Divorce is not an option,” Newsom told POLITICO when he announced his climate-focused China trip last month. “The importance, the imperative of maintaining a relationship on climate with China is about the fate and future of this planet.” It’s an approach that allies and advisers say reflects Newsom’s sensibility as a lifelong San Franciscan. About a fifth of San Francisco residents are Chinese American — the highest concentration in any major U.S. city. It’s also home to the oldest Chinatown in the country. Newsom’s experience on a global stage goes back to his time as San Francisco mayor. In 2005, he traveled to Shanghai with the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), seeking to expand trade opportunities Darlene Chiu-Bryant, a former adviser to Newsom who accompanied him on the 2005 trip, said it was clear back then that he was focused on a positive business relationship with China, not points of controversy. Newsom, as a child growing up in the city, walked through Chinatown every morning on his way to Catholic school, she said. Chiu-Bryant said such experiences led Newsom to view China as more partner than rival. “For him, it’s always been, ‘We live in the global world,’” she said. The China trip is only Newsom’s second international junket in his official capacity as governor, despite holding office for the past five years. The Democratic governor's itinerary will focus on areas where California and China can partner to reduce planet-warming emissions, including electric cars, high-speed rail and offshore wind. The governor will have the opportunity to broker agreements that could cement California’s reputation as a global leader of the green-energy economy. But the trip also carries deeper professional significance for Newsom, a potential future U.S. presidential contender and a national surrogate for President Joe Biden. Newsom could bolster his foreign policy resume, which could come in handy on a presidential debate stage. Former Gov. Jerry Brown, who deeply expanded ties with China during his time in office, said Newsom has the potential to make a serious impact on climate, in part because he’s engaging during such a challenging moment for U.S.-China relations. “It takes some courage to go against the grain,” said Brown, now chair of UC Berkeley's California-China Climate Institute. “Newsom is eloquent enough that he can champion climate — and do it in a way that will be more effective than his critics.” — with help from Blanca Begert, Debra Kahn and Christopher Cadelago GOOD MORNING. Happy Thursday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. PLAYBOOK TIP LINE — Who else do you expect to jump into the Senate race? Give us a ring or drop us a line. Now you can text us at 916-562-0685 — save it as “CA Playbook” in your contacts now. Or drop us a line at lkorte@politico.com and dgardiner@politico.com, or on Twitter —@DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced. | 
