Sino-US tensions show no sign of easing

BEIJING - There are no clear signals of an easing in trade and political tensions in Sino-US relations despite the hope generated by the visits of two Chinese vice-ministers to Washington.

Vice-Commerce Minister Zhong Shan said in the US capital on Wednesday that Beijing will reform its currency regime gradually and keep the exchange rate stable.

Rejecting mounting US calls to allow the yuan to rise more quickly, Zhong said changing the exchange rate was not the way to fix a huge bilateral trade gap, and that it could upset the global economy.