Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday called for negotiations to solve trade frictions between China and the United States.

US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez(L) talks with China's Premier Wen Jiabao during a meeting in Beijing. Rampant Chinese theft of US intellectual property rights is weakening American support for a deeper trade relationship between the two giants, Gutierrez warned. [AFP]

"Facts have proven that consultation and dialogue are the right way to settle economic and trade frictions. Trade protectionism will only harm the common interests of both sides," Wen told visiting US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez.

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The premier noted that the development of China-US relations has always been the consensus of Democrats and Republicans in Washington.

The visit by Gutierrez, who heads a delegation of 25 entrepreneurs, comes amid growing US concern about the trade deficit with China.

China's trade surplus with the United States grew to US$102.2 billion in the first nine months of this year.

Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai told Gutierrez on Monday that China has a large foreign exchange reserve and is not pursuing a huge trade surplus.

Wen hoped the two countries could further expand and deepen co-operation in economy and trade in the spirit of mutual understanding and accommodation, as well as reciprocity and mutual benefit.

"China will work with the United States to push forward bilateral relations in a long-term, healthy and stable manner," Wen said.