Wen Says China Doesn't Seek Trade Surplus with U.S.

China’s premier has told President Barack Obama that Beijing doesn’t seek a trade surplus with the U.S.

China is a huge and lucrative market for American goods and services, but exports more than it imports — a bone of contention between the two governments.

China’s Foreign Ministry says on its Web site that Premier Wen Jiabao told Obama in a meeting Wednesday that he hopes the two countries can achieve a “leveling of bilateral trade flows.”

Wen said China would like Washington to lift restrictions on exports of high-tech items that could have both civilian and military use.

The ministry said he also noted that robust global trade and investment would help overcome the international financial crisis.

11/18/2009 9:59 AM BEIJING (AP)