CHINA: Chinese and U.S. trade negotiators are maintaining close communication,

Gao Feng, the spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce, said at a regular briefing

on Thursday, declining to comment on the progress of the trade talks. Gao

repeated that some U.S. soybeans and pork shipments are receiving exemptions

from additional tariffs. China will diversify trading partners by inking free

trade agreements with more countries, developing Free Trade Zones, lowering

tariffs and encouraging investment, Gao said.