US urged to honour One-China policy amid trade deal talks

Bloomberg

A senior Chinese diplomat said China will honour its phase-one trade commitments, and suggested that the US live up to theirs on issues such as Taiwan.
In an interview with Chinese state television CGTN on December 28 night, Cui Tiankai, China’s ambassador to the US, also said talk of a new cold war was “very irresponsible.” The comments came as Beijing and Washington are working on final details of an interim trade deal that may see some of the tariffs imposed on Chinese goods lifted.
“We will always implement what we promised. There is no problem with that,” Cui said. “The US has made commitments to the one-China policy. I just hope they will honoor their commitment.”
Earlier this year the Trump administration informally told Congress that it supports a potential sale of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, drawing a preemptive warning from China.
US President Donald Trump said earlier this week that he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping would meet and sign the phase-one deal, but China did not confirm that the two leaders will meet.
“We have full confidence in our negotiators,” Cui said. “Let the two teams do their job. Still, they are under the guidance of the two presidents.”

China approves new GMO soybean, papaya strains for import, renews permit for crops
Bloomberg

China approved new strains of genetically-modified soybeans and papaya for imports and renewed permits for 10 crop varieties, including corn and canola.
The insect-resistant soybean variety has been developed by Dow AgroSciences LLC, according to a list published by China’s agriculture ministry on Monday. The papaya strain, which is resistant to some viruses, has been genetically altered by US research institutes.
The approvals come as China and the US are set to sign the first phase of their trade deal in January. The two countries have agreed to speed up the approval process for imports of GMO crops as part of their efforts to boost bilateral trade.
China purchases more than 60% of globally-traded soybeans, mainly from Brazil and the US, and is also the largest importer of canola, especially from Canada.
The oilseeds are processed into protein-rich meals to meet the country’s rising demand for livestock feed. The Asian country is the world’s second-largest corn consumer.
Import permits for 10 strains, developed by companies including BASF SE, Dupont Pioneer and Bayer AG-owned Monsanto, have been renewed.
The GMO varieties, including one strain of corn, four of soy and four of canola, will be permitted for imports until December 2022.