Andrea Shalal, David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – China has promised to reduce travel approval times for U.S. business leaders to 10 days. Qin Gang from China was speaking on Thursday. He said that he will listen carefully to U.S. companies’ concerns.

Qin, who came to the United States from China in July told the US China Business Council dinner that Beijing was also working to facilitate COVID-19 test results and to allow executives to work in quarantine.

Qin claimed that Beijing is following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s directive on upgrading “fast-track” arrangements for travel. It was responding to U.S. concerns over the resumption business travel to China.

“With the upgraded arrangement the time required for travel approval is shorter, not more than 10 work days,” he stated.

Qin stated that Beijing will share its work plan “very soon” to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Beijing said it was determined to implement the spirit of the virtual summit between Xi Jinping and U.S. president Joe Biden and infuse “more positive energy” into its relations.

Qin called on China to strengthen cooperation in the manufacturing, financial and energy sectors.

He also reiterated Beijing’s demand that Washington repeal additional tariffs placed on Chinese goods under the previous administration of Donald Trump.

Marc Allen (NYSE:) Co’s chief strategy officer, welcomed both the announcements of fast track travel and a decision made by China’s aviation authority regarding an airworthiness directive for the Boeing 737 MAX. This will open the door for the model to be returned to China’s service within two-and-a half years.

U.S. Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jose Fernandez repeated a litany of U.S. complaints about China’s business practices and stressed the need for a level playing field for U.S. companies.

He reiterated U.S. concerns about human rights, including alleged forced labor, in China’s Xinjiang region and highlighted U.S. government warnings to business about the risks of operating in Hong Kong.

He told the business leaders operating in China they should keep in mind that they are “not bystanders in the broader economic and strategic relationship.”

“Above all, please be mindful how your activities can affect U.S. national security and the fundamental values that we all hold dear,” he said.