China always opposes weaponization of economic, trade issues: FM spokesperson

China has always been against politicization and weaponization of economic and trade issues, a foreign ministry spokesperson told a regular press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks in response to a reported warning of "geopolitical coercion" by Russia, China and other countries by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at an event in Washington.

"China is always against politicization and weaponization of economic and trade issues," Mao said. "We are committed to defending liberalization and facilitation of global trade and investment, and defending the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

"It is the unilateral and protectionist practices of certain countries that have impeded international economic and trade cooperation."

The relevant parties needed to abandon the unilateral and protectionist approach under the current circumstances, the spokesperson said.

"They need to work with the international community to ensure the industrial and supply chains are secure and smooth, safeguard the stability of the system, rules and foundation of the world economy, and promote the steady recovery of the world economy," Mao said.