China on US trade deal, Russia, coronavirus, UNSC

China's foreign ministry on Thursday praised the signing of a Phrase 1 trade deal with the United States, saying it was "beneficial to both countries and the world".

"It also shows once again that China and the United States can find an appropriate and effective solutions to relevant issues through dialogue and consultation on the basis of equality and mutual respect," said Geng Shuang, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The United States and China reached a trade deal Wednesday which is expected to ease tensions between the world's two biggest economies.

The deal is set to offer large export opportunities for US farms and factories, and promises to do more to protect American trade secrets.

Still, the Phase 1 agreement did not address Washington's fundamental differences with Beijing, which is relying on massive government intervention in the economy to turn China into a technological power.

Geng did not directly comment on prospects for Phrase 2, saying only that "it is imperative that both parties work together" on the Phrase 1 deal.

Geng also praised former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev who resigned on Wednesday.

The resignation came hours after President Vladimir Putin engineered a surprise shake-up of Russia's leadership Wednesday, proposing changes to the constitution that could keep him in power well past the end of his term in 2024.

"The resignation of Mr. Medvedev and the Russian government is Russia's internal affairs. As a friendly neighbour, China fully respects it," Geng said.

Also on Thursday, the spokesman noted that China had received reports of a case of a Chinese tourist infected with a new strain of coronavirus in Thailand.

The outbreak of the virus has been traced to the Chinese city of Wuhan, where it affected several dozen people who had been to a major meat and seafood market.

"China has been in communication with Thailand," Geng said. "I would also like to stress that after the epidemic situation in Wuhan, the Wuhan health department has been continuously introducing information to the public.

Finally, Geng sounded cautionary tones on any potential reforms of the United Nations Security Council that could bring in India or Brazil as permanent members, saying that "there are still huge differences between the members."

"The reform of the Security Council is of great importance, and it also concerns the long-term development of the United Nations and the core interests of all member States," Geng said.

Geng's comments come after the Russian Foreign Minister on Wednesday made a strong pitch for making India and Brazil permanent members, a longstanding aspiration of both countries.