After the conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, it became known of the progress in resolving the issues related to exports to North Korea and Hong Kong, as well as the accusation by Xi of interference in the United States’ domestic affairs.
“I spoke very well with President Xi of China about our huge trade deal. China has already started buying agricultural products on a large scale and much more. The official signing is being prepared. Also talked about North Korea, where we work with China, and Hong Kong (progress!)”, – Trump tweeted.
China’s Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi told Trump that China is deeply concerned about the “negative words and actions” of the United States on issues concerning Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.
“These actions of interference in China’s internal affairs have damaged China’s interests and undermined mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides”, – Xinhua said.
North Korea is also making claims: according to the State News Agency KCNA, the state has attacked the United States for disagreeing with the human rights situation. Korea said Washington’s “vicious words” only exacerbate tensions on the Korean peninsula.
A representative of the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that if the United States dared to challenge their system of governance, citing “human rights issues”, it would “pay dearly”.
The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday condemned “long-standing and ongoing” human rights violations in North Korea in an annual resolution sponsored by dozens of countries, including the United States, and rejected by the United States Ambassador in Pyongyang.
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Friday he still hopes for a resumption of diplomacy between the United States and North Korea, as there is little time left before the deadline announced by North Korea for new US concessions in negotiations over its nuclear arsenal.