China opposes protectionism, Wen tells U.S.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China opposes protectionism and wants to solve trade disputes through dialogue, China's state radio reported Premier Wen Jiabao as telling visiting Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday.

Without quoting Wen directly, state radio reported he said trade disputes between the U.S. and China were "inevitable".

He also said a healthy U.S. economy and a stable dollar were in the interests not only of the United States but also of the whole world, the radio reported.

The radio quoted Wen as saying China was willing to work with the United States to safeguard financial market stability.

The report also said he urged Washington to relax controls on hi-tech exports to China.

(Reporting by Zhou Xin; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)