Ministry calls equality basis for phase-one deal

China will strive to reach a phase-one trade agreement with the United States as the two sides remain in close communication, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

The ministry made the remark after top trade negotiators from both countries agreed over the phone on Saturday to keep communication channels open following "constructive" discussions on each other's core concerns for the phase-one deal.

Though the ministry didn't disclose details of the negotiations, Gao Feng, ministry spokesman, said China is ready to work with the US on the basis of equality and mutual respect to properly address each other's core concerns and strive to reach the preliminary deal.