Against the backdrop of ongoing trade negotiations, tensions between the world's two largest economies have come under strain this week over a U.S. bill supporting Hong Kong protesters, while U.S. Navy warships twice sailed near islands in the South China Sea over the past few days, further angering Beijing.
China's Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng said on Thursday that China is willing to work toward an agreement despite reports of pessimism in Beijing over President Donald Trump's refusal to roll back existing tariffs.