Vice-Premier He Lifeng, who is leading China's economic and trade affair talks with the United States, held a video call on Friday with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

The two sides held candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges on implementing the important consensus reached between the two heads of state at their meetings in Beijing and Washington and the outcomes of economic and trade consultations, and on key economic and trade issues of mutual concern.

The Chinese side expressed serious concern over recent US economic and trade restrictions against China.

Both sides agreed that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, they would further leverage the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism, continuously strengthen cooperation and properly manage differences so as to promote the stable and positive development of bilateral economic and trade relations, and contribute to building a constructive relationship of strategic stability based on respect, fairness and reciprocity.

News of the video call came as the Ministry of Commerce said on Saturday that China firmly opposes US unilateral sanctions on Chinese enterprises as the move violates international law and the basic norms of international relations.

A spokesperson for the ministry made the remarks in response to a media query that the US Department of State had announced sanctions on two Chinese enterprises and that this was reportedly the first time the United States has imposed sanctions on Chinese companies over so-called Cuba-related reasons.

In recent days, the ministry official said, the US side has escalated sanctions and suppression against China and introduced multiple discriminatory restrictions, which have seriously harmed the rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, deviated from the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and undermined the stability of China-US economic and trade relations.

China urges the US side to correct its wrongdoings as soon as possible, the official said, noting that China reserves the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. (Xinhua)





Edited by Azam Khan