Turin, Apr 24 (LaPresse) – China denies the existence of ongoing trade talks with the United States, after recent statements by the US administration that the two sides could reach an agreement. ‘Any claims about progress in trade talks between China and the US are pure speculation and without factual basis,’ said He Yadong, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, emphasising that although Beijing remains open to dialogue, any negotiations must be based on mutual respect and conducted on an equal footing. The spokesman also makes it known that China does not seek conflict, but is not afraid of it: ‘Pressure, threats and coercion are not the right way to interact with China,’ he says, pointing out again that the trade war was provoked unilaterally by the US. He Yadong then urges Washington to ‘correct its mistakes, show sincerity if it wants to dialogue, and return to the path of fair and constructive dialogue to help put China-US economic and trade relations back on a stable, healthy and sustainable path’. The Global Times reports.