China Calls For Closer Trade Relations With The U.S.

File image of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping holding talks. By Erin Schaff © 2020 The New York Times

First Post/New York Times: China hardens resolve to defy US, even as it speaks of cooperation; Li Keqiang calls for close trade relations

Beijing: Ignoring threats from Washington, China stripped another layer of autonomy from Hong Kong on Thursday, ploughing ahead with a plan that would ban any form of dissent deemed subversive in the territory reclaimed from Britain more than two decades ago.

But even as the plan was approved by China’s top legislative body, and Chinese officials taunted the United States as an imperious meddler, Premier Li Keqiang struck a conciliatory tone. While offering no concessions to US demands, he called for close trade relations between the two countries.

The clash over Hong Kong and other issues points to the quandary facing China as it grows in power and contends with an increasingly aggressive Trump administration. The Chinese leadership does not want to incinerate the relationship with the US, given the enormous economic benefits. Nor is it willing to back down, reflecting divisions in Beijing between hawks and more moderating forces.

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WNU Editor: Another example on how tone-deaf China has become when it comes to the U.S.. After deceiving the world at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic that has resulted in the deaths of over 100,000 Americans and the destruction of the American economy .... they are now calling for reconciliation with the U.S., while at the same time blaming the U.S. for this pandemic. It is not China that is hardening its resolve to defy the U.S., it is the other war around, it is the U.S. hardening its resolve against the China.