FM spokesman: China, U.S. trade problems should not be politicized

China maintains the trade frictions and problems between China and the U.S. should be properly handled through consultation and should not be politicized, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang on Tuesday.

Qin made the remarks when responding to a journalist's question on the visit by three U.S. senators to China. He said bilateral trade problems should be properly handled according to the principle of common development and mutual benefit.

Qin said China believes the visit by the three U.S. senators will help increase their knowledge of the conditions of the China-U.S. relationship, conditions of bilateral economic and trade cooperation and China's positions and measures on these respects. He said China believes the visit will also help the three senators take a more rational, just and objective attitude in handling problems between China and the U.S.

Qin also mentioned the issue of the RMB rate, saying China insists on choosing a reasonable currency rate system that is in accordance with China's actual conditions and takes into account the influence of the adjustment of the RMB rate on international and regional economies.

Three U.S. senators visited China from March 20 to 26, and mainly discussed the issues of trade imbalance between China and the U.S., the RMB rate and intellectual property rights protection with Chinese officials.

A delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of China's National People's Congress is now visiting the United States.

When answering questions on this visit, Qin said China hopes the visit will increase mutual understanding between the legislative organs of the two countries and have a positive effect on China-U.S. relations.

Qin said as various circles of the United States and especially the U.S. Congress pay close attention to China-U.S. relationship, it is necessary for the two sides to maintain dialogue.

Source: Xinhua