Beijing 6 Jun (ANA) - A top diplomat at the US embassy in Beijing has stepped down, apparently because he disagreed with President Donald Trump's climate change policy. The State Department said Deputy Chief of Mission David Rank had resigned. US media outlets reported he stepped down over Mr Trump's controversial announcement last week that the US was withdrawing from the Paris agreement. The decision, which Mr Trump said would protect the US economy, was met with much rancour worldwide. Mr Rank reportedly told embassy staff at a meeting that he was directed to present a formal notification of the US decision to Chinese authorities, and that he could not defend that decision. The New York Times quoted unnamed friends of Mr Rank as saying he was deeply frustrated about the US policy toward China, particularly regarding climate change.(ANA)

FA/ANA/6 June 2017-----