China, US hold video talks on economic, trade issues

Vice-Premier He Lifeng held a video call with United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday, with both sides pledging to strengthen communication and promote stable economic and trade ties.

He, the Chinese lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs, and the US side held candid, in-depth and constructive discussions on implementing the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state at their meeting in May in Beijing. They also exchanged views on maintaining stable bilateral economic and trade relations, expanding practical cooperation and properly addressing each other's concerns.

During the talks, the Chinese side expressed serious concerns over the recent US restrictive economic and trade measures against China.

Both sides agreed to further make good use of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, enhance communication, build mutual trust, clear up misunderstandings, expand practical cooperation, and promote the steady and sound development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

Also on Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce said that China has been actively implementing the consensus reached at the inaugural meeting of the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism, and stepping up preparations for its second meeting this autumn.

He Yadong, a spokesman for the ministry, said China is ready to work with the European Union to explore practical and feasible solutions to each other's economic and trade concerns.

The two sides held the inaugural meeting of the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism last month, during which they agreed that China and the EU are each other's stable and balanced key trading partners. They also tentatively agreed to hold the mechanism's second meeting this autumn.