We begin our program with the latest on the China-US trade war. China's State Council on Tuesday held a press conference to explain a new white paper on the trade frictions. Senior officials from six government departments helped to clarify facts, point out problems, and explain Chinese policies, as the US escalates trade tensions with China. CGTN's Wang Hui reports.

A rare gathering of multiple senior Chinese economic officials. Six vice heads of five national economic organizations addressed China's stance on trade friction with the US.

WANG SHOUWENVICE MINISTER OF COMMERCE "This is an equal negotiation between equal market players and civil affairs. It has to do with companies' freedom."

The nearly 100-minute long conference touched upon some of the most controversial issues of the friction, including China's subsidies and its protection of intellectual property rights.

Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen says none of China's laws nor regulations can force overseas companies to transfer their technologies to China.

He added that the central government has asked local governments not to take any administrative measures to do so this year.

Wang denied that joint-venture cooperation, or correspondence between China and its overseas counterparts, mandates such transfers.

WANG SHOUWENVICE MINISTER OF COMMERCE "The government is not playing any role inside. When you negotiate about joint-venture, you want to have a good price. If you have technology, you can ask for a good price. But if the price is not good, you won't agree to transfer technology. Who is negotiating good prices? Cooperation partners from overseas companies and Chinese ones."

The officials were asked about China's ability to handle backlash from the US amid the friction. One expert said America's imposing of tariffs on 200 billion dollars of Chinese goods will impact the Chinese economy both directly and indirectly. Some sectors may feel the impact more than others, but it should be manageable.

LIAN WEILIANG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND REFORM COMMISSION "Although the impact is unavoidable, the risk, in general, is controllable. The Chinese economy completely has the ability to hedge the impact by expanding domestic demand and facilitating high-quality development. Since China's economy has good tenacity, its domestic demand has potential, and its market players are highly competent."

Lian added that China has faced comparable drops in external demand before, but overcome the obstacles each time. He remains confident that China's economy will stay stable and last long.

WANG HUI BEIJING "Recently some media outlets reported that China has canceled the latest round of negotiations with the US. A question on this issue was raised. The Vice Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen didn't directly answer whether or not the talks had been canceled, but he said that Beijing's door to negotiations is wide open. He added that the two sides need to be equal and respect each other. Also, he said Washington needs to keep its word and match its words with its deeds. Wang Hui, CGTN, Beijing."