China reiterated on Thursday that trade talks with the United States later this week must be grounded in "mutual respect, equal consultation and mutual benefit", without confirming whether a "phase-two agreement" between Beijing and Washington will be initiated during the upcoming conversations.

"If the US wants to talk, our door is always open," said He Yadong, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, at a news conference.

Vice-Premier He Lifeng, China's lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs, will have a meeting with the US' lead person, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, during He's visit to Switzerland from Friday to Monday.

The commerce ministry said that any such talks must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect, equal consultation and win-win cooperation.

"China will steadfastly safeguard its own development interests and remain steadfast in its position of defending international fairness and justice, as well as maintaining the international economic and trade order," He, the ministry's spokesman, said.

He didn't confirm whether a "phase-two agreement" between the world's two largest economies will be discussed during the trade talks.

China and the United States signed their phase-one economic and trade agreement in January 2020.