Vice-premier to negotiate trade spat in Washington

Vice-Premier Liu He will visit the United States on Jan 30 and 31 for further consultations on Sino-US trade and economic issues, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

Economists said the two major powers should opt for cooperation instead of confrontation against a backdrop of gloomy global growth prospects and volatility.

Ministry spokesman Gao Feng confirmed Liu's trip at a regular news briefing. Trade volume between China and the US exceeded $630 billion last year and two-way investment exceeded $240 billion, the ministry said on Thursday.