Trade friction between China and other countries are an issue emerging in the process of development, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang in Beijing Thursday.

When asked to comment on a possible trade battle between China and the United States, Qin said, incongruously, China and the United States are important trade partners for each other.

China's foreign trade volume has grown rapidly and economic and trade cooperation between China and other countries in the world has expanded in recent years.

In dealing with problems cropping up in the development process, we should take a long-term perspective, Qin said.

We should properly handle trade disputes through negotiation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, Qin added.

Qin said China is willing to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries in the world including the United States so as to achieve win-win progress through cooperation.

Source: Xinhua