China willing to promote stable economic relations with US: commerce ministry

BEIJING -- China is willing to work with the United States to promote stable, healthy and sustainable economic and trade relations, based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

"Tariff measures are not conducive to the interests of either China or the United States, nor to the rest of the world," said He Yadong, the spokesperson for the ministry, during a regular press conference. He made the remarks in response to a question about the possible 10 percent tariff increase imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese imports starting Feb 1.

Answering a question about TikTok, He said China has always respected and safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, and opposed actions that violate the basic principles of the market economy and harm the legitimate interests of enterprises.

"We hope that the United States will listen more to the voices of enterprises and the public, and provide a fair and just business environment for companies from all countries, including Chinese enterprises," He said.

China hopes the United States will take more actions conducive to bilateral economic and trade cooperation and the well-being of the people in both countries, He added.