Beijing's door of dialogue and negotiation to resolve trade friction with Washington remains open, and talks should be conducted on the basis of mutual equality and respect, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

Wang made the remarks while jointly meeting with press with visiting British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt after co-chairing the ninth China-UK Strategic Dialogue.

The major responsibility for trade imbalance between China and the United States does not lie with China, and the bilateral trade deficit is rooted in the US itself, Wang said.

Wang said the US has gained huge profits through trade with China.

The friction was provoked by the US, Wang said, adding that China does not want a trade war.

"We have to take countermeasures when facing the US's aggressive attitude and infringement, and it is a legitimate defense," he said.

China and the US are supposed to resolve their friction within the framework of the World Trade Organization, he said, adding that dealing with this friction according to domestic laws has violated the basic principles of the WTO as well as the US commitment to reduce tariffs.

"This is typical unilateralism and economic hegemony that cannot be accepted by any sovereign independent country," Wang said.

Beijing's door to talks remains open and discussions should be rule-based, and unilateral threats are counterproductive, he added.