Purchases set to ease trade frictions

China urges US not to sacrifice relations for political expediency

BEIJING/WASHINGTON - Chinese trade delegations, visiting or set to visit the United States to purchase goods and services, will help strengthen economic ties between the two countries, the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday on the eve of a US congressional hearing about trade relations with China.

Ministry spokesman Yao Jian said one delegation headed by Vice-Minister of Commerce Wang Chao and comprising almost 50 business leaders, left Beijing for the US on Tuesday.