Top Chinese and US officials will resume<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explaining-the-us-china-trade-war-which-grabbed-spotlight-in-2018-185043"> trade talks </a>in accordance with the wishes of their leaders, but China hopes the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-planning-more-tariffs-on-chinese-goods-represent-worst-scenario-for-both-countries-227803">United States</a> will create the necessary conditions for dialogue, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday.&nbsp;

Negotiations to reach a broad trade deal broke down last month after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-need-chinese-products-says-us-publishers-amid-trade-war-228553">US officials </a>accused China of backing away from previously agreed commitments.

But hopes for a revival of negotiations have been rekindled by a telephone call on Wednesday between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, and confirmation they will meet next week in Japan at a G20 summit.&nbsp;

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said on Wednesday he would speak by telephone to Liu He, China`s vice premier and chief negotiator in the trade talks, "in the next day and a half".

"The heads of the two trade teams will communicate, according to instructions passed down from the two presidents," Chinese commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng told reporters, without elaborating.&nbsp;

"We hope (the United States) will create the necessary conditions and atmosphere for solving problems through dialogue as equals."

The two countries have imposed increasingly severe tariffs on each other`s imports. China has vowed to not give in on issues of principle or under US pressure.

Trump has threatened to put tariffs on another $325 billion worth of goods, covering nearly all remaining Chinese imports into the United States, including consumer products such as cellphones, computers and clothing.

The prospect of a de-escalation in the dispute has helped cheer financial markets weighed by threats of more tariff measures and countermeasures and strident rhetoric from both countries.

But three main differences remain, including the removal of all additional tariffs, China says. Both sides have disagreed over trade purchases and a "balanced" text for any trade deal.

Those three "matters of principle" cannot be compromised, China has said.

Asked if China`s demands for a trade deal were still tied to the three issues being met, Gao said: "China`s principles and basic stance on Sino-US economic and trade consultations have always been clear and consistent, and China`s core concerns must be properly resolved."

The US Trade Representative`s Office kicked off seven days of testimony this week from US retailers, manufacturers and other businesses about Trump`s tariff plan.

China hopes the United States would listen to its industry voices, and stop threatening tariffs and waging a trade war, Gao said, adding that such behaviour was "wrong" and should be "abandoned".

The upcoming trade talks between Xi and Trump are unlikely to immediately resolve major disagreements between the two sides but could start a new phase in negotiations, Chinese state media said on Thursday.

But when asked if China thought it could reach an agreement with the United States on issues such as its structural reforms, the implementation mechanism, intellectual right protection and further opening of its markets, Gao still expressed optimism.

"Both sides have immense mutual interests. I believe by taking care of each other`s concerns through equal dialogue, both sides will for sure be able to find a solution to solve the problems properly," Gao said.&nbsp;

'Bottom lines'

The official China Daily said in an editorial both parties were "in the mood for serious dialogue" as a full-blown trade war was "lose-lose", but one single meeting was unlikely to wrap everything up.

"The two parties` expectations are too divergent to allow that," it said.&nbsp;

"More likely than not, the one-on-one meeting will end up being the start of a new phase in the negotiations with the two leaders personally setting out their country`s respective bottom lines."

Another influential Chinese newspaper, the Global Times, said China had sent a clear signal to the United States that "China can never be daunted."

China has managed to get the United States back to the table with its determination and ability to "prepare for war", Taoran Notes, a widely read and influential WeChat account run by the Economic Daily, wrote late on Wednesday.

"Only by being able to fight, daring to fight and being good at fighting can you stop a war," it wrote.&nbsp;

China would take the "necessary measures" if the United States imposes additional tariffs on the $300 billion of Chinese goods, Gao said, without elaborating.

IP Theft and Reforms

The Trump administration has accused China of failing to protect intellectual property rights, forced technology transfers and of failing to provide a level playing field for US companies.

China has repeatedly promised to open its market wider to foreign investors and provide them with better services and treatment.

Speaking to a group of 19 chief executives of foreign multinationals in Beijing on Thursday, Premier Li Keqiang reiterated those promises.

"China will maintain our long-standing commitment to reform and opening in order to continue to expand and open. We welcome more and more foreign investment to come to China," Li said, in comments in front of reporters.&nbsp;

"We will also relax (restrictions on) access to even more fields to create a market-oriented, law-based internationalised business environment."

&nbsp;

Top Chinese and US officials will resume trade talks in accordance with the wishes of their leaders, but China hopes the United States will create the necessary conditions for dialogue, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday.

Top Chinese and US officials will resume trade talks in accordance with the wishes of their leaders, but China hopes the United States will create the necessary conditions for dialogue, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday. Negotiations to reach a broad trade deal broke down last month after US officials accused China of backing away from previously agreed commitments. But hopes for a revival of negotiations have been rekindled by a telephone call on Wednesday between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, and confirmation they will meet next week in Japan at a G20 summit. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said on Wednesday he would speak by telephone to Liu He, China`s vice premier and chief negotiator in the trade talks, "in the next day and a half". "The heads of the two trade teams will communicate, according to instructions passed down from the two presidents," Chinese commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng told reporters, without elaborating. "We hope (the United States) will create the necessary conditions and atmosphere for solving problems through dialogue as equals." The two countries have imposed increasingly severe tariffs on each other`s imports. China has vowed to not give in on issues of principle or under US pressure. Trump has threatened to put tariffs on another $325 billion worth of goods, covering nearly all remaining Chinese imports into the United States, including consumer products such as cellphones, computers and clothing. The prospect of a de-escalation in the dispute has helped cheer financial markets weighed by threats of more tariff measures and countermeasures and strident rhetoric from both countries. But three main differences remain, including the removal of all additional tariffs, China says. Both sides have disagreed over trade purchases and a "balanced" text for any trade deal. Those three "matters of principle" cannot be compromised, China has said. Asked if China`s demands for a trade deal were still tied to the three issues being met, Gao said: "China`s principles and basic stance on Sino-US economic and trade consultations have always been clear and consistent, and China`s core concerns must be properly resolved." The US Trade Representative`s Office kicked off seven days of testimony this week from US retailers, manufacturers and other businesses about Trump`s tariff plan. China hopes the United States would listen to its industry voices, and stop threatening tariffs and waging a trade war, Gao said, adding that such behaviour was "wrong" and should be "abandoned". The upcoming trade talks between Xi and Trump are unlikely to immediately resolve major disagreements between the two sides but could start a new phase in negotiations, Chinese state media said on Thursday. But when asked if China thought it could reach an agreement with the United States on issues such as its structural reforms, the implementation mechanism, intellectual right protection and further opening of its markets, Gao still expressed optimism. "Both sides have immense mutual interests. I believe by taking care of each other`s concerns through equal dialogue, both sides will for sure be able to find a solution to solve the problems properly," Gao said. 'Bottom lines' The official China Daily said in an editorial both parties were "in the mood for serious dialogue" as a full-blown trade war was "lose-lose", but one single meeting was unlikely to wrap everything up. "The two parties` expectations are too divergent to allow that," it said. "More likely than not, the one-on-one meeting will end up being the start of a new phase in the negotiations with the two leaders personally setting out their country`s respective bottom lines." Another influential Chinese newspaper, the Global Times, said China had sent a clear signal to the United States that "China can never be daunted." China has managed to get the United States back to the table with its determination and ability to "prepare for war", Taoran Notes, a widely read and influential WeChat account run by the Economic Daily, wrote late on Wednesday. "Only by being able to fight, daring to fight and being good at fighting can you stop a war," it wrote. China would take the "necessary measures" if the United States imposes additional tariffs on the $300 billion of Chinese goods, Gao said, without elaborating. IP Theft and Reforms The Trump administration has accused China of failing to protect intellectual property rights, forced technology transfers and of failing to provide a level playing field for US companies. China has repeatedly promised to open its market wider to foreign investors and provide them with better services and treatment. Speaking to a group of 19 chief executives of foreign multinationals in Beijing on Thursday, Premier Li Keqiang reiterated those promises. "China will maintain our long-standing commitment to reform and opening in order to continue to expand and open. We welcome more and more foreign investment to come to China," Li said, in comments in front of reporters. "We will also relax (restrictions on) access to even more fields to create a market-oriented, law-based internationalised business environment."

Hope US will create necessary conditions for dialogue as trade talks expected to resume: Chinese Commerce ministry

Washington has agreed to allow US defence contractors help Taiwan construct its own submarines, Taipei said, welcoming the breakthrough in long-standing ambitions to build up its fleet to counter the threat from China.

Taiwan last year launched a plan to manufacture its own submarines amid deteriorating relations with China after its hopes of buying them from the US came to nothing.

The US State Department has approved granting the licence necessary to sell Taiwan the technology needed for its submarine project.

The approval was a "breakthrough," Taiwan defence ministry spokesman Chen Chung-chi said Sunday.

"It is part of a process. We'll take it step by step," he told AFP, declining to provide further details.

The agreement is likely to anger Beijing, which regards the island as part of its territory even though the two sides have been ruled separately since the end of a civil war in 1949.

Washington's approval comes after President Donald Trump last month signed new rules allowing top-level US officials to travel to Taiwan.

China has protested at the move, saying the US should stop official exchanges with Taiwan to avoid "damaging Sino-US relations".

Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979 but maintains trade relations with the island and is its main arms supplier.

Since coming to power in May 2016, President Tsai Ing-wen has pushed for Taiwan to develop and build more of its weapons domestically.

Her office expressed thanks to Washington for the licence approval.

"The US government's decision will not only help Taiwan in raising its defence capabilities, it will also greatly benefit security and stability in the region," it said in a statement Saturday.

Taipei has long struggled to procure submarines from the US.

In April 2001 then-president George W&nbsp;Bush approved the sale of eight conventional submarines but there had been no progress on the deal, prompting Taipei's decision to build its own.

The United States has not built conventional submarines for more than 40 years and Germany and Spain reportedly declined to offer their designs for fear of offending China.

Taiwan's navy currently operates a fleet of four submarines, bought from abroad but only two of them can be deployed in the event of war.

The other two were built by the United States in the 1940s and are only used in training as they are too old for combat.

The first domestically-built submarine is expected to be deployed within 10 years.

&nbsp;

Washington has agreed to allow US defence contractors help Taiwan construct its own submarines, Taipei said, welcoming the breakthrough in long-standing ambitions to build up its fleet to counter the threat from China

Washington has agreed to allow US defence contractors help Taiwan construct its own submarines, Taipei said, welcoming the breakthrough in long-standing ambitions to build up its fleet to counter the threat from China. Taiwan last year launched a plan to manufacture its own submarines amid deteriorating relations with China after its hopes of buying them from the US came to nothing. The US State Department has approved granting the licence necessary to sell Taiwan the technology needed for its submarine project. The approval was a "breakthrough," Taiwan defence ministry spokesman Chen Chung-chi said Sunday. "It is part of a process. We'll take it step by step," he told AFP, declining to provide further details. The agreement is likely to anger Beijing, which regards the island as part of its territory even though the two sides have been ruled separately since the end of a civil war in 1949. Washington's approval comes after President Donald Trump last month signed new rules allowing top-level US officials to travel to Taiwan. China has protested at the move, saying the US should stop official exchanges with Taiwan to avoid "damaging Sino-US relations". Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979 but maintains trade relations with the island and is its main arms supplier. Since coming to power in May 2016, President Tsai Ing-wen has pushed for Taiwan to develop and build more of its weapons domestically. Her office expressed thanks to Washington for the licence approval. "The US government's decision will not only help Taiwan in raising its defence capabilities, it will also greatly benefit security and stability in the region," it said in a statement Saturday. Taipei has long struggled to procure submarines from the US. In April 2001 then-president George W Bush approved the sale of eight conventional submarines but there had been no progress on the deal, prompting Taipei's decision to build its own. The United States has not built conventional submarines for more than 40 years and Germany and Spain reportedly declined to offer their designs for fear of offending China. Taiwan's navy currently operates a fleet of four submarines, bought from abroad but only two of them can be deployed in the event of war. The other two were built by the United States in the 1940s and are only used in training as they are too old for combat. The first domestically-built submarine is expected to be deployed within 10 years.

US approves licence for Taiwan submarine plan

Despite all the anti-Chinese remarks he made, Donald Trump was a surprising hero among Chinese nationalists during the presidential campaign. The former reality TV star drew his support from Chinese netizens either privately sharing his loathing for self-serving elitists (China has plenty of them) or excited by the prospects of the oafish Trump speeding up American decline and Chinese ascendency.

These fans were in for a nasty shock when the president-elect tweeted that he had accepted a phone call of congratulations from Taiwanese President Tsai Yingwen&mdash;a figure of contempt for Chinese nationalists. The deceptively innocent exchange marked the first time in almost four decades that an American president (or soon to be president) had openly communicated with a leader of the island-state.

To make matters worse, Trump referred to Tsai on equal terms as president, thus directly contradicting the Beijing-invented narrative of Taiwan as a breakaway province from the Chinese mainland, rather than a de facto independent state with its own leader.

ONE CHINA POLICY

Days later, he hinted at a possible end to the One China policy, making the assertion that the United States was not necessarily bound to such an agreement. Under this policy, both Taipei and Beijing make claim to the title of China (Taiwan is officially the Republic of China), but agree that there is only &ldquo;one China&rdquo;&mdash;in an abstract sense if not a unified nation-state.

Beyond the relationship of the two Chinas, the policy means that no country can hold official relations with both the governments of Taipei and Beijing. For its part, the US gives diplomatic recognition to Beijing but still retains unofficial ties with Taipei.

If Trump steers US policy to treating Taiwan more like an independent state, it undermines the One China principle and by extension the Chinese Communist Party&rsquo;s (CCP) decades-old claim to the island. Feeling its sovereign right over Taipei under threat, Beijing will retaliate.

In fact, on December 15, China captured a US Navy drone, possibly to send Trump a warning message and flex its muscles in the South China Sea. Even before stepping into office, Trump has shown his potential to damage stability in East Asia.

Which makes the threats posed after Trump enters the White House all the more serious. If he chooses to further provoke China after his inauguration in January 2017, it could easily lead to a cycle of escalation in an already volatile region. Besides Taiwan, much of East and Southeast Asia (backed by the US) hold competing claims to territory with China.

It&rsquo;s not clear whether Trump&rsquo;s phone call with Tsai was an intentional plot to undermine Beijing or a result of his ignorance to the sensitivities within East Asian international politics. Given that he is a president-elect who rejects Central Intelligence Agency briefings, it was likely the latter. What kind of diplomatic crisis might he fall into next when dealing with, say, the South China Sea dispute?

DEAL OR NO DEAL

Trump should take a step back before nearing the brink with China. Besides, this diplomatic faux-pas should not be interpreted as a sign of his suddenly principled approach to world politics. Trump is right to stand up for Taiwan. But he is likely doing so for the wrong reasons.

Unlike his predecessors, Trump has shown little concern about US-led stability or democracy in the region. Rather, the protectionist president-elect wants to cut a deal with China over trade for the security of white-collar American jobs. In his official statement, Trump said: &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why we have to be bound by a &lsquo;one China policy&rsquo; unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.&rdquo;

Foreign policy is, of course, about making deals&mdash;a skill that Trump likes to remind people he excels at. But US policy needs to be underpinned by principles and a great strategy in order to work. Simply making deals risks reducing allies like Taiwan down to bargaining chips that can be tossed away when the price is right.

It is especially concerning when considering that no deal can be struck with China in Taiwan&rsquo;s favor. Beijing does not consider Taiwan&rsquo;s status up for negotiation&mdash;unless the outcome is bringing Taipei under CCP rule.

That would give Trump&rsquo;s Chinese fans something to cheer about.

President-elect Donald Trump?s China policy cannot be based on deal making alone

Despite all the anti-Chinese remarks he made, Donald Trump was a surprising hero among Chinese nationalists during the presidential campaign. The former reality TV star drew his support from Chinese netizens either privately sharing his loathing for self-serving elitists (China has plenty of them) or excited by the prospects of the oafish Trump speeding up American decline and Chinese ascendency. These fans were in for a nasty shock when the president-elect tweeted that he had accepted a phone call of congratulations from Taiwanese President Tsai Yingwen—a figure of contempt for Chinese nationalists. The deceptively innocent exchange marked the first time in almost four decades that an American president (or soon to be president) had openly communicated with a leader of the island-state. To make matters worse, Trump referred to Tsai on equal terms as president, thus directly contradicting the Beijing-invented narrative of Taiwan as a breakaway province from the Chinese mainland, rather than a de facto independent state with its own leader. ONE CHINA POLICY Days later, he hinted at a possible end to the One China policy, making the assertion that the United States was not necessarily bound to such an agreement. Under this policy, both Taipei and Beijing make claim to the title of China (Taiwan is officially the Republic of China), but agree that there is only “one China”—in an abstract sense if not a unified nation-state. Beyond the relationship of the two Chinas, the policy means that no country can hold official relations with both the governments of Taipei and Beijing. For its part, the US gives diplomatic recognition to Beijing but still retains unofficial ties with Taipei. If Trump steers US policy to treating Taiwan more like an independent state, it undermines the One China principle and by extension the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) decades-old claim to the island. Feeling its sovereign right over Taipei under threat, Beijing will retaliate. In fact, on December 15, China captured a US Navy drone, possibly to send Trump a warning message and flex its muscles in the South China Sea. Even before stepping into office, Trump has shown his potential to damage stability in East Asia. Which makes the threats posed after Trump enters the White House all the more serious. If he chooses to further provoke China after his inauguration in January 2017, it could easily lead to a cycle of escalation in an already volatile region. Besides Taiwan, much of East and Southeast Asia (backed by the US) hold competing claims to territory with China. It’s not clear whether Trump’s phone call with Tsai was an intentional plot to undermine Beijing or a result of his ignorance to the sensitivities within East Asian international politics. Given that he is a president-elect who rejects Central Intelligence Agency briefings, it was likely the latter. What kind of diplomatic crisis might he fall into next when dealing with, say, the South China Sea dispute? DEAL OR NO DEAL Trump should take a step back before nearing the brink with China. Besides, this diplomatic faux-pas should not be interpreted as a sign of his suddenly principled approach to world politics. Trump is right to stand up for Taiwan. But he is likely doing so for the wrong reasons. Unlike his predecessors, Trump has shown little concern about US-led stability or democracy in the region. Rather, the protectionist president-elect wants to cut a deal with China over trade for the security of white-collar American jobs. In his official statement, Trump said: “I don’t know why we have to be bound by a ‘one China policy’ unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.” Foreign policy is, of course, about making deals—a skill that Trump likes to remind people he excels at. But US policy needs to be underpinned by principles and a great strategy in order to work. Simply making deals risks reducing allies like Taiwan down to bargaining chips that can be tossed away when the price is right. It is especially concerning when considering that no deal can be struck with China in Taiwan’s favor. Beijing does not consider Taiwan’s status up for negotiation—unless the outcome is bringing Taipei under CCP rule. That would give Trump’s Chinese fans something to cheer about.

Diplomacy with Beijing is not that easy

The United States should not decide its policy on the South China Sea based on what its allies think&nbsp;and should stick to its promises not to take sides in the dispute, a senior Chinese minister said today&nbsp;ahead of Sino-US&nbsp;security talks.

China has been angered by what it views as provocative U.S. military patrols close to islands China controls in the South China Sea. The United States says the patrols are to protect freedom of navigation.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims, as well as close military ties with Washington.

Speaking at a forum ahead of next week&#39;s high-level meetings with US&nbsp;officials in Beijing, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang said his country had every right to protect its sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea.

&quot;In fact the United States is not a claimant in the South China Sea dispute, and it takes no position on territorial disputes,&quot; Zheng said.

&quot;So we hope the US&nbsp;can stick to its promises and not choose sides, but can set its position based on the rights and wrongs of the case rather than whether somebody is an ally,&quot; he added.

&quot;I think if they can do this, and if they can stop provocative acts targeted at China&#39;s sovereignty and security interests, then the US&nbsp;can play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and promote a lowering of the temperature on this issue.&quot;

China&#39;s top diplomat, state councillor Yang Jiechi, will take this up with US&nbsp;secretary of state John Kerry at their talks, Zheng added.

The South China Sea is also expected to loom large at Asia&#39;s biggest security summit starting in Singapore on Friday, attended by a senior Chinese admiral.

Last month, Beijing demanded an end to US&nbsp;surveillance near China after two Chinese fighter jets carried out what the Pentagon said was an &quot;unsafe&quot; intercept of a US&nbsp;military reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea.

Denouncing people in the United States who viewed China as a threat, which he believed was not a mainstream US&nbsp;view, Zheng said the two countries had proved they can cooperate well on joint issues of global concern, like North Korea and Syria.

&quot;China&#39;s development won&#39;t threaten any country,&quot; Zheng said. &quot;I hope certain people in the United States set themselves straight and spurn Cold War thinking.&quot; 
 
 
&nbsp;

A senior Chinese minister cautions Washington to not take sides in territorial disputes in the region

The United States should not decide its policy on the South China Sea based on what its allies think and should stick to its promises not to take sides in the dispute, a senior Chinese minister said today ahead of Sino-US security talks. China has been angered by what it views as provocative U.S. military patrols close to islands China controls in the South China Sea. The United States says the patrols are to protect freedom of navigation. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims, as well as close military ties with Washington. Speaking at a forum ahead of next week's high-level meetings with US officials in Beijing, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang said his country had every right to protect its sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea. "In fact the United States is not a claimant in the South China Sea dispute, and it takes no position on territorial disputes," Zheng said. "So we hope the US can stick to its promises and not choose sides, but can set its position based on the rights and wrongs of the case rather than whether somebody is an ally," he added. "I think if they can do this, and if they can stop provocative acts targeted at China's sovereignty and security interests, then the US can play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and promote a lowering of the temperature on this issue." China's top diplomat, state councillor Yang Jiechi, will take this up with US secretary of state John Kerry at their talks, Zheng added. The South China Sea is also expected to loom large at Asia's biggest security summit starting in Singapore on Friday, attended by a senior Chinese admiral. Last month, Beijing demanded an end to US surveillance near China after two Chinese fighter jets carried out what the Pentagon said was an "unsafe" intercept of a US military reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea. Denouncing people in the United States who viewed China as a threat, which he believed was not a mainstream US view, Zheng said the two countries had proved they can cooperate well on joint issues of global concern, like North Korea and Syria. "China's development won't threaten any country," Zheng said. "I hope certain people in the United States set themselves straight and spurn Cold War thinking."

China to US: Do not let your allies decide South China Sea policy