CHINA TO SEND XI’S SPECIAL ENVOY TO U.S. FOR TRADE TALKS

BEIJING: China on Monday announced it was sending a top official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to the US as President Xi Jinping’s envoy for talks to calm tension over trade and welcomed President Donald Trump’s comments that indicated easing of sanctions against Chinese telecom firm, ZTE.

Vice Premier Liu He will visit the US from May 15 to 19 as Xi’s special trade envoy to consult American counterparts on trade and economics that have embattled bilateral ties between the two largest economies of the world.

Liu is also member of the CPC Central Committee’s politburo, one of the highest decision making bodies in China.

Liu as the chief of the Chinese side of the China-US comprehensive economic dialogue is visiting the US on Washington’s invitation, ministry of foreign affairs, spokesperson, Lu Kang said.

“Liu will continue to hold consultations with the US economic team headed by the US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin on economic and trade issues between the two countries,” Lu said.

“China stands ready to work with the United States to promote positive and constructive results in the forthcoming consultations,” he said.

Speaking at the regular ministry briefing on Monday, Lu added that China appreciates the US position on Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE.