"The heads of the two trade teams will
communicate, according to instructions passed down from the two
presidents," Gao Feng, Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman, told
reporters. "We hope (the United States) will create the necessary
conditions and atmosphere for solving problems through dialogue as
equals."
He stated that there are three keys to the
coming talks – the removal of additional tariffs, trade purchases and a
balanced text for the deal. Gao labeled those as “matters of principle”
that cannot be compromised. "China's principles and basic stance on
Sino-U.S. economic and trade consultations have always been clear and
consistent, and China's core concerns must be properly resolved,” he
stated.
The China Daily newspaper stated in an editorial
it appeared both sides were ready for “serious dialogue” and that one
meeting was not going to result in a resolution, noting that "it would
be expecting too much to anticipate one single meeting will wrap
everything up. The two parties' expectations are too divergent to allow
that," the paper 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."
The Global Times struck a more contentious tone, saying the country can “never be daunted.”