WASHINGTON, Oct 12 (NNN-Xinhua) — China and the United States achieved substantial progress in multiple areas after holding a new round of high-level economic and trade consultations on Thursday and Friday in Washington.
Under the guidance of the important consensus reached between the heads of state of the two countries, the two negotiation teams conducted candid, efficient and constructive discussions on economic and trade issues of mutual concern.
The two sides achieved substantial progress in areas including agriculture, intellectual property rights protection, exchange rate, financial services, expansion of trade cooperation, technology transfer and dispute settlement.
The two sides also discussed the arrangement for future consultations, and agreed to make joint efforts toward eventually reaching an agreement.
The Chinese delegation was led by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chief of the Chinese side of the China-U.S. comprehensive economic dialogue.
The U.S. team was headed by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Separately. US President Donald Trump met with Liu He in the White House Oval Office on Friday afternoon, after the conclusion of the latest round of high-level economic and trade consultations between China and the United States.
Talking about the latest round of consultations, Liu said the two sides conducted candid, efficient and constructive discussions on economic and trade issues of mutual concern.
Substantial progress was made in such areas as agriculture, intellectual property rights protection, exchange rate, financial services, expansion of trade cooperation, technology transfer and dispute settlement, he said, adding that the two sides also discussed arrangements for future consultations.
Properly handling the China-U.S. trade relationship is good for China, for the United States, and also for peace and prosperity of the world, noted the Chinese vice premier.
For his part, Trump expressed his appreciation of Chinese Pres Xi’s message, offered once again his congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and asked Liu to convey his cordial greetings to Xi.
Observing that U.S.-China relations are enjoying strong growth, Trump said he has great respect for China and great respect for Xi, who is a great leader.
Trump also said he is pleased to see that the U.S.-China trade negotiations have yielded “substantial phase one” progress, which is a great thing for both nations and the world at large.
The U.S. president said he hopes that the two negotiation teams will keep up their efforts, finalize the text of the “phase one deal” at an early date, and move forward with future negotiations.
The United States, said Trump, welcomes Chinese students to come and study in the country. — NNN-XINHUA
