China on Wednesday urged members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to work towards a resumption of the Doha Round of free trade talks, calling their recent breakdown a setback for all sides.

"The suspension of the Doha Round is not in anyone's interest," Ministry of Commerce spokesman Chong Quan said in a statement. "China is willing to work with all sides to try to relaunch the process as soon as possible."

He did not blame any particular country for the collapse of the talks, which were launched in 2001.

WTO chief Pascal Lamy suspended the negotiations on Monday after major trading powers failed to bridge wide differences over agricultural issues.

The United States and the European Union have swapped blame for the talks' failure, accusing each another of not making the necessary concessions.