> So basically China's stance is, we cannot change our laws so our bad trading practices must remain in place?

China's, or better said Liu He's, stance is "we will not do anything if it has chance to blew into Xi Jinping's face"

Xi brandished how he tames "capitalist tigers" by wholly appropriating the credit for the trade deal. Now he is being made to look stupid with a single twiter post.

It is likely he will not touch the talks personally out of fear for more embarrassment

Liu He might be only a fourth vice premier in line, but only one Xi has personal ties to.