China takes a reasonable approach toward solving Sino-US trade friction, Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong said here Tuesday.

Zeng made the remarks during his talks with his US Vice President Dick Cheney, who arrived here Tuesday afternoon on a three-day working visit to China as his guest.

Vice President Zeng acknowledged that the trade disputes between China and the United States are normal and China has taken steps such as dispatching a procurement group to the United States to increase China's imports since the end of last year.

"We will conscientiously carry out the rules of the World Trade Organization and our commitments," noted Zeng.

He also mentioned that Sino-US trade volume increased about 50 times in the past 25 years, and there is still great potential for further growth.

On Sino-US ties, Zeng said both China and the United States are great nations, and their common interests overwhelm their differences.

China and the United States share wide-ranging common interests and a cooperative basis no matter in safeguarding the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world and promoting regional and global economic growth, but also in dealing with terrorism, weapons proliferation, transnational crimes and diseases, said Zeng.

The Chinese side is pleased to see the progress in the growth of Sino-US ties in recent years, said Vice President Zeng, and it is willing to work with the US side to further advance bilateral constructive and cooperative relationship.

(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2004)