Beijing, Aug 16 (IANS): A senior Chinese delegation led by Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen will visit the US for trade talks later this month, it was announced here on Thursday.

A statement from the ministry said that the delegation will meet US Treasury Undersecretary David Malpass to discuss economic and trade issues between China and the US.

"China reaffirms its stance of opposing unilateralism and trade protectionism, and not accepting any forms of unilateral restrictive trade measures", it said.

However, the statement added that China "welcomes dialogue and communication on the basis of reciprocity, equality and integrity".

Beijing and Washington started a tit-for-tat trade war in July, each imposing 25 per cent tariffs on the other side's goods.

There had been no high-level talks between the two sides since July, but sources told the South China Morning Post that the two countries made unofficial contact late last month to explore the possibility of resuming talks.