China’s commerce minister will visit the United States next week for meetings with the commerce secretary and Washington’s top trade official, the spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington said on Thursday (May 18), as the US seeks engagement with Beijing to salve damaged ties. Liu Pengyu made the announcement at a Chinese embassy online briefing with journalists, adding that Beijing was open to communication at all levels with United States, but only on the basis of mutual respect. The Chinese embassy later said in an emailed statement that both sides were still discussing details of the plans. A source ... (full story)