China and the United States will further consultations on reciprocal tariff reduction as well as on trade in aircraft and agricultural products, a Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesman said on Thursday.
Ministry spokesman He Yadong made the statement at a regular press briefing in response to a question on China-U.S. economic and trade consultations.
"In accordance with the consensus reached during the China-U.S. economic and trade consultations, the two sides agreed to establish a trade council and to discuss -- under the trade council -- cooperation in reciprocal tariff reduction and other aspects. The economic and trade teams of China and the United States will carry out further consultations in this regard," said the spokesman.
"The China-U.S. trade cooperation in the fields of aircraft and agricultural products is mutually beneficial. The teams from both sides will maintain communication, encourage and guide respective enterprises to enhance connection and expand trade cooperation in relevant fields," the spokesman said.
China, U.S. to discuss reciprocal tariff cuts under trade council: commerce ministry
Villagers in east China's Dezhou City shared their personal stories of rural transformation with President Xi Jinping during his inspection trip on Wednesday, expressing gratitude for the policies that have modernized farming and boosted household incomes.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited Dezhou in Shandong Province, where he received a warm welcome from residents. During the trip, he spoke with grain growers and villagers about agricultural production and rural development.
At Dongyujia Village, the president toured farmland, learning about the local wheat harvest, corn planting, and agricultural supplies. He emphasized the importance of improving farmland infrastructure and making agriculture more productive and resilient.
One of the villagers who spoke with President Xi said the conversation left a deep impression on him.
"I'm overjoyed. I told him I'm a farm machinery operator with two farm machines and four tractors at home. I also mentioned I usually work around the local area," said Song Zhijie.
Having operated machinery for decades, Song described how modern equipment has transformed his work.
"I've run farm machines for 20 years. Old tractors were weak and crude, leaving us muddy and worn out. Higher farm equipment subsidies let us buy modern machines with air-conditioned cabs and Beidou navigation, making work effortless," he said.
President Xi has called for solid measures to advance the modernization of agriculture and rural areas. In Dezhou, high-standard farmland is turning that vision into reality. For local farmers, the benefits are clear: better land, stronger harvests and higher incomes.
Producing more than seven million tonnes of grain each year, Dezhou is one of China's major grain producing regions.
During the visit, Xi also stressed the importance of building a beautiful and harmonious countryside tailored to local conditions.
In nearby Xiyujia Village, he visited villager Shi Yanyun and her family, where he learned about their daily lives, family income, children's education and the health of elderly family members.
Shi said she was impressed by how closely the president's questions were related to everyday life in the village.
"President Xi asked if we wanted city lives. I prefer the countryside. Land transfers let us take local nearby jobs. We have cheap, fresh greenhouse veggies, clean villages and easy transport," said the villager.
Xi's visit, Shi said, reflects his concern for rural revitalization policies and the well-being of ordinary families.
"I thought he'd focus on national issues, yet he cared deeply about our daily lives. He felt like a warm family elder," she said.
Local residents say the visit has further encouraged them to work hard, improve their lives and contribute to the continued development of their community.
Villagers share life improvements with President Xi during his inspection to Dezhou
