China's commerce ministry said on Thursday co-operation is the only "correct direction" for the China-US trade relationship, amid growing trade frictions between the world's two biggest economies.
Commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng made the comments during a regular weekly briefing in Beijing.
US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Wednesday the United States is not starting a trade war but trying to level the playing field of global commerce and fend off Chinese protectionism, including a "direct threat" in high-tech goods.