BEIJING — A trade war between China and the United States is not in line with the interests of the two countries and will bring nothing but harm, Commerce Minister Zhong Shan said on March 11.

Cooperation is the “only right choice,” and the two countries should work to enhance cooperation and manage differences, Zhong said, stressing the role of economic and trade cooperation as a “ballast” and “propeller” in bilateral relations.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session, Zhong said the two countries, whose interests are closely interwoven, have seen their economic and trade relations on the right path since they forged diplomatic ties.

“Any form of protectionism is not in line with the interests of the two countries,” he said.

Zhong said he looks forward to meeting his US counterpart Wilbur Ross, who became secretary of commerce under the US new administration late last month.

He expressed the belief that the two countries’ leaders and governments will make the right judgment on bilateral trade ties, pledging efforts to guide China-US economic and trade ties in the right direction.

Zhong was appointed commerce minister to replace Gao Hucheng last month.