WASHINGTON — The United States shouldn’t obstruct efforts by China and its neighbours to agree on a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea, China’s ambassador said Monday as President Donald Trump prepared for his first official visit to Asia. This is also the hope of the ASEAN countries.”Cui was previewing China’s preparations for Trump’s five-nation trip to Asia that includes a state visit to China. Trump wants to narrow the gaping U.S. trade deficit with China — a goal Cui said China shares although he cautioned it would take time as it was a “structural” problem. He rejected U.S. accusations that China, the world’s second-largest economy and the largest in Asia, was engaged in “predatory” policies at the expense of its neighbours. Cui said those saying things about China, “might just look into the mirror and it might be describing themselves.”——Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report.

Source: National Post October 30, 2017 16:39 UTC