A Boeing 737 MAX 8 for China Southern Airlines, front, is pictured at the Boeing Renton Factory in Renton, Washington on March 12, 2019. (JASON REDMOND / AFP)

BEIJING - China regrets the US decision to suspend scheduled passenger flights of Chinese carriers to and from the United States, according to a Foreign Ministry spokesperson Thursday.

We regret the aforementioned US decision...the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is making stern representations with the US side

Zhao Lijian, Foreign Ministry spokesperson

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks when asked to comment on a statement issued Wednesday by the US Department of Transportation, which announced the order to suspend the scheduled passenger flights of Chinese carriers to and from the United States, effective from June 16.

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"We regret the aforementioned US decision," Zhao told a routine press briefing. "As far as I know, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is making stern representations with the US side."

The spokesperson said the CAAC has been in close contact with the US Department of Transportation over flight arrangements, with some progress already made.

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The Chinese side has announced adjustment of relevant policies, Zhao said, expressing the hope that the US side will not create obstacles to bilateral efforts to solve problems.