MNI POLICY:Phase One Agreement with US Good for China, Xi Says

     BEIJING (MNI) - Chinese President Xi Jinping said reaching the phase one

agreement with the U.S. benefits both China and the U.S., Xinhua News Agency

reported on Saturday citing a Dec 20 phone call between Xi and President Donald

Trump. 

     While differences may appear in the bilateral economic and trade

cooperation, difficulties can be overcome if the two sides stick to the

"mutually beneficial mainstream" while promoting the relationship development

forward, Xi said.

     Xi also stressed that China is "gravely concerned over the negative words

and actions of the U.S. on issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and

Tibet," which interfered with China's internal affairs and damaged its

interests. 

     While Trump urged the two sides to sign and implement the phase one deal as

soon as possible, Xi didn't address the issue of signing of the agreement,

according to Xinhua's statement. 

     The two leaders also exchanged views on North Korea. Xi emphasized keeping

an orientation toward a political solution and maintaining dialogues, according

to the statement.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 10 8532 5998; email: william.bi@mni-news.com

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: archie.zhang@marketnews.com

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