China's Ministry of Commerce said Thursday that trade negotiations between Beijing and Washington are progressing well and representatives of the two sides will talk again by phone on Friday.
The ministry said the Chinese and U.S. delegations have always maintained close contact and they will continue to promote consultations and other work as planned.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump were scheduled to meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November.
However, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera announced the cancellation of the summiton Wednesday due to the social crisis facing the South American country.
The White House Press Secretary Hogan Gidley said after the announcement that the United States is still expected to sign an initial trade agreement with China in November, but no alternate location had yet been set for the two leaders to meet.
U.S. officials have repeatedly expressed hope in signing an interim trade deal with China during the November 16-17 APEC summit in Chile.
