China hopes to settle the trade friction with the United States through dialogues and consultations, said State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan Monday.  

"We hope the two sides would take long-term perspective to seek a proper settlement of the issue and achieve a win-win deal through dialogues on equal footing, avoiding the trade problem from infringing on the common interests and disturbing the relations between the two countries," said Tang.

During talks with Linda Lingle, governor of Hawaii, Tang said China and the US have enjoyed sound relations on the whole, and there is plenty of room for the expansion of bilateral cooperation.

Lingle said China is playing an increasingly important role in the international arena, and Hawaii will contribute more to improving the friendly relations between the US and China.

Lingle and her party are visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and its president Chen Haosu was present at the meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2005)