China hopes the United States will end restrictive and discriminatory actions against Chinese companies and pave the way for the first phase of the trade deal, Reuters reported referring to Assistant Minister of Commerce Ren Hongbin.

The COVID-19 pandemic and US export controls have undoubtedly influenced China's purchase of American goods and services, he said.

Senior US and Chinese officials will meet on Saturday via videoconference to assess the implementation of the Phase 1 of the trade deal.