BEIJING - Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang said Friday that politicizing economic and trade issues can only harm Sino-US economic and trade ties, instead of resolving the economic and employment problems of the United States.

Li made the remarks in a meeting with visiting former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, while touching on the US Senate's passing of the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act.

The bill, passed on Tuesday, is specifically directed at China's currency, which the United States claims is undervalued to make Chinese exports to the United States cheaper.

China is gravely concerned about the potential passing of the bill, Li said, noting that politicizing economic and trade issues will also obstruct the global economic recovery and sustainable growth.

"Sino-US economic and trade ties have the distinctive feature of mutual benefits," Li said.

"China hopes US relevant parties and all sectors of the society can reject protectionism and create a favorable environment for the healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations," he said.

Li also called on the US to bear in mind the overall interests of Sino-US relations, respect China's core interests and grave concerns, properly handle sensitive issues, and work with China to push forward bilateral ties.

Li spoke highly of Rice's efforts in reinforcing bilateral ties during her time as US secretary of state.

Rice, invited by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, expressed her willingness to further advance the bilateral relationship and economic and trade cooperation.