[LZ_Bayonet]

Another article states that a Chinese spokesman said, "China will continue to talk to the US about the matter."

In other words, "China is in the driver's seat now. The US can talk to us right now, but that will continue only with our permission and on our terms."

[jiggyboy]

Bingo. As long as they are “talking”, they’re not changing anything. One of China’s most well-known and long-used diplomatic techniques.