China's Defense Ministry says will not 'dance to the US tune'

16:15, August 27, 2020

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  US hegemony intimidated by China’s nuclear power

  DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missiles Photo: Fan Lingzhi/GT The latest Pentagon report on the Chinese military development shows that China's nuclear strength is key to deterring US hegemonic activities, Chinese military experts said on Wednesday. The Chinese national defense ministry als

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  Showman Trump hopes Republican convention will change America's tune

  US President Donald Trump will draw on all his showmans instincts at the Republican convention starting Monday to get Americans to look beyond his handling of the coronavirus crisis and return him to the White House for a second term.US President Donald Trump looks on during a press conference in the Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, August 23, 2020. (Photo: AFP)Facing anger over the pandemic and ensuing economic pain, Trump badly trails his Democratic opponent Joe Biden in the polls.He is also weighed down by the growing turmoil in his inner circle, with former chief strategist Steve Bannon arrested last week on fraud charges and a current top advisor, Kellyanne Conway, announcing late Sunday that she was stepping down to spend time with her family.But the Republican insists he can replicate his surprise 2016 win -- and hopes the convention, where he will be nominated to seek reelection November 3, will launch the comeback.Unlike standard party conventions, where the candidate stays mostly out of the way until the last night, Trump is expected to be in the limelight all four days.His family, which has had an unusual amount of influence and access at the White House during his tumultuous first term, will also be omnipresent.Therell be First Lady Melania Trumps speech in the Rose Garden on Tuesday and addresses by the presidents children, including right-wing firebrand son Don Jr, daughter-advisor Ivanka and daughter-in-law Lara Trump.The nomination itself will be made on Monday in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Republican delegates are gathering to conduct the roll call. Trump will also be speaking in the state.But Trumps main speech accepting the nomination is set for Thursday at the White House itself -- a show of power trampling over the custom of separating political campaigns from the office of president.In another move stretching etiquette, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will make a speech on his behalf ...

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  China, US to hold trade talks soon: Chinese Ministry of Commerce

  File photo: XinhuaChina and the United States have agreed to hold trade talks over the phone in the coming days, Chinas Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.The ministrys spokesperson Gao Feng made the remarks when asked to comment on reports that the two countries will soon hold talks to evaluate the progress of their phase-one economic and trade agreement.The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that trade negotiators for China and the U.S. plan to discuss progress in fulfilling the terms of the "Phase One" deal between the two nations via video in the coming days."I postponed talks with China. You know why? I dont want to deal with them now," Trump had told reporters in Yuma, Arizona on Tuesday during a briefing on construction of a border wall with Mexico.But White House officials later clarified that the statement was a general reference and was not specifically aimed at economic and trade agreement.White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said in an interview on Air Force One on Tuesday that no new high-level trade talks have been scheduled between the two sides.But he added that U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer remained in regular contact with his counterpart in China about fulfilling its commitments.Meadows also said that Trumps remarks on the economic and trade agreement with China did not mean that he would abandon the deal and that Trump was still reviewing it."I dont have a date for any official talks but it is safe to say, should they continue, it would be between the trade representatives," U.S. Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany confirmed in a regular briefing on Wednesday.On the same day, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said in an interview that the phase-one trade deal is still on track. Meanwhile, U.S. oil exports to China may more than double in September.Data from Chinas General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed that the total value of China-U.S. trade...