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Washington imposed sanctions on ZTE last month for breaking an agreement to punish employees after the Chinese maker of smart phones and telecoms gear shipped U.S. goods to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions.
ZTE said the ban was unacceptable and threatened its survival.
The Commerce ministry said Chinese officials made solemn representations to the U.S. delegation that took part in bilateral trade negotiations in Beijing this week.
U.S. officials said they attached great value to China's representations and would report back to U.S. President Donald Trump on the matter, the ministry said.