The most senior US diplomat in China has resigned over Donald Trump’s rejection of the Paris climate accord, it was claimed, as the governor of California described the president’s controversial decision as only a “temporary” setback in confronting global warming.

Mr Trump is facing intense criticism in some quarters after he dramatically withdrew the United States from the Paris agreement on climate change last week.

The move has seen China emerge as the global champion in the fight against global warming, but some believe it may prompt Beijing to be more cautious towards Washington.

The US embassy in Beijing confirmed on Tuesday the resignation of David Rank, who was the chargé d'affaires at the mission, which is currently waiting the arrival of a new ambassador.

Mr Rank, a Chinese mandarin speaker who has worked at the Foreign Service for 27 years, resigned over his opposition to the US rejecting the Paris deal, it was claimed.

John Pomfret, an experienced China watcher and author, said on his Twitter account that the career diplomat did not want to inform Beijing over Mr Trump’s decision.

“Rank called a town hall meeting ‪@USEmbassyBJ to say he could not deliver a demarche to the PRC govt over US withdrawal from ‪@ParisAgreement,” Mr Pomfret said.