Chinese VP Liu He makes surprise appearance on first day of China-US trade talks, despite absence of America’s heavy hitters
- Leaked photos show vice-premier meeting US delegates, along with large Chinese delegation
- Analysts say China is showing goodwill and commitment to reaching a deal
China and the United States began a fresh round of trade talks on Monday with a surprise appearance from Vice-Premier Liu He, according to pictures leaked from the venue inside the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing.
Liu – top economic aide to President Xi Jinping and the man in charge of Beijing’s trade talks with Washington – had not been expected to attend the negotiations, which were officially at the “vice-ministerial” level.
The US delegation is being led by Deputy US Trade Representative Jeffrey Gerrish, a long-time ally of US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
In one of the photos being circulated online that has been confirmed by sources, Liu is seen standing among a group of Chinese officials including Commerce Minister Zhong Shan and Vice-Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen.
Both Zhong and Wang were at the table when Xi and US President Donald Trump agreed to a three-month trade war truce in Argentina on December 1. The photo shows US officials, including Gerrish, on the other side of the table, clapping their hands.
A second leaked picture provides a wider view, showing at least 100 Chinese officials seated in the room – a delegation twice as large as the US team.