Vice Premier He to U.S. Senator Daines: China opposes weaponization of trade

China firmly opposes the politicization and weaponization of economic and trade issues, or using them as a tool, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng told visiting U.S. Senator Steve Daines in Beijing on Saturday.

China is willing to engage in candid dialogue with the United States on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, He said.

Noting that there are extensive common interests and vast potential for cooperation between the two sides, he said China and the United States can become partners and friends and achieve mutual success and shared prosperity to benefit both countries and the world at large, he added.

Daines, for his part, said U.S.-China relations are of great importance, and both sides should enhance dialogue. He expressed his willingness to contribute more tangible efforts in the regard.

The U.S. Republican senator reportedly arrived in Beijing on Thursday.

Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu met with Daines on Friday. The two sides held in-depth exchanges on China-U.S. relations and issues of mutual concern, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

At a daily press briefing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China welcomes the visit by individuals from all sectors of the United States, including members of Congress.

China consistently believes that the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations serves the common interests of the two peoples and meets the universal expectation of the international community, said Mao.