Beijing: China’s top trade envoy, Li Chenggang, concluded a three-day visit to the United States, engaging in high-level discussions with officials from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Department of Commerce, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The meetings focused on the implementation of previous trade agreements, addressing ongoing economic differences, and exploring avenues for future cooperation through dialogue and consultation. Analysts view this engagement as a strategic effort to stabilize bilateral trade amid global economic uncertainties.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Western sanctions as discriminatory in an interview with China’s Xinhua news agency ahead of his visit to China, scheduled from August 31 to September 3. Putin emphasized that such measures hinder global economic progress. During his trip, he is expected to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, and participate in a military parade marking the end of World War II.

In a related development, China received its first cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project, despite the project being under international sanctions. The shipment, delivered to the Beihai LNG terminal in Guangxi via the tanker Arctic Mulan, underscores growing energy cooperation between China and Russia. Observers note that the delivery could test international responses and may influence other countries, such as India, to explore sanctioned Russian LNG at favorable terms.

The recent developments highlight a nuanced global landscape, with China seeking to maintain trade dialogue with the U.S. while deepening strategic and economic ties with Russia. As President Putin’s visit approaches, global attention is focused on potential agreements and their implications for international trade and energy markets.