China calls on US to promote peace ahead of Trump report

BEIJING: China’s foreign ministry on Monday defended trade with the US as a win-win scenario ahead of a speech by US President Donald Trump laying out a new national security strategy.

Trump has praised Chinese President Xi Jinping while also demanding that Beijing increase pressure on North Korea over its nuclear programme and changes in trade practices to make them more favourable to the US.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she was unable to comment on the strategy until it was unveiled.

But in principle, China hopes the strategy can play a constructive role in promoting world peace and stability and promoting China-US strategic mutual trust, Hua told a daily news conference.

The essence of China-US trade and economic ties is mutually beneficial and win-win, directly and indirectly supporting 2.6 million US jobs, she added.

In 2015, the profits of US firms that invested in China reached $36.2 billion, and China will continue to support trade and investment liberalisation, Hua said.

“We are willing to work hard with the US side to dedicate ourselves to building a robust, stable and healthy trade and economic relationship,” she added.

That was in the interests of both sides and the expectation of the international community, Hua said.

Trump made his first visit as president to China last month, where he lauded his meetings on trade and North Korea as “very productive”.