In response to ongoing trade frictions with the US, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has announced measures to stabilize China's foreign trade this year. At a news conference during the Two Sessions, senior officials within the ministry also delivered their views on the US-China trade talks. Our reporter, Wang Hui, has more.

Despite ongoing trade frictions with the US, China's trade volume reached 4.6 trillion US dollars last year, setting a record high. This has strengthened China's position as the world's biggest trading country. In light of this, I asked a question about China's foreign trade at the news conference during the Two Sessions.

WANG HUI CGTN REPORTER, BEIJING "Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in his government work report that the country needs to stabilize China's foreign trade while improving quality in 2019. The tariff measures imposed by China and the US are not escalating, but the added tariffs still exist. How will you reach the goal set by the report, under these conditions? What's your expectation of China's foreign trade in 2019?"

ZHONG SHAN MINISTER OF COMMERCE "First, we need to stabilize the scale of current developments and the market. We will properly implement the central government's policies, and support the development of the private economy. Second, we will improve the quality of foreign trade and especially encourage high-tech, high-quality, and the export of high–added value products, to enhance China's position in the global value chain. Third, we will encourage innovation."

When asked about China-US trade talks, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen noted that the two countries have held three rounds of high-level negotiations since December 1st. He said they have made substantial progress on some important matters. Wang also discussed how to implement the consensus reached between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump at the G20 summit in Argentina.

WANG SHOUWEN VICE MINISTER OF COMMERCE "The way to implement the consensus of the two leaders reached at the G20 summit in Argentina should be two-directional, fair and equal. Regarding the prospects for the next step of the China-US trade talks, I have hope. The leaders of the two countries have reached an important consensus. They have also decided on principles and direction, which is to cancel all of the added tariffs."

WANG HUI CGTN REPORTER, BEIJING "Wang Shouwen also detailed what transpired during the trade talks. He said it was a snowy day in Washington, and came amid the record-breaking US government shutdown. But the two teams continued with their negotiations. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer didn't drink coffee or tea, but rather boiled water, which is a very common practice in China as they tried to find something in common. Wang said reaching a mutually-beneficial agreement will align with the interests of China and the US, as well as the expectations of the world."