China, EU maintain smooth communication on economic, trade issues: commerce ministry

BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union (EU) have maintained smooth communication on economic and trade issues, China's Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

Ministry spokesperson He Yadong made the remarks in response to a media inquiry about the latest progress in China-EU economic and trade negotiations.

He described recent talks in Brussels between Ling Ji, vice minister of commerce and deputy China international trade representative, and Ditte Juul Jorgensen, director-general for Trade and Economic Security at the European Commission, as "in-depth and comprehensive" and had helped lay the groundwork for ministerial consultations to be held soon.

China is willing to work with the EU to implement the consensus reached by leaders of both sides, manage disputes through dialogue and consultation, properly handle friction, and promote pragmatic cooperation, to advance the sound and steady development of bilateral economic and trade relations, the spokesperson said.