United Nations (New York), Jan 22 (IANS): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for dialogue and negotiation between the US and China over trade and technology to avoid the polarisation of the world market and economy.

Asked to comment on Washington's years-old technology dispute with China, Guterres said he has always advocated for the need for a unified global market and a global economy, Xinhua news agency reported.

"I've been, many times, saying that we need to avoid at all costs the division of the world into two, each with its own economic system and set of rules, each with its own dominant currency, each with its own internet, and each with its own technological strategy and artificial intelligence and in other aspects," he told a press briefing.

THe UN Chief called on the world's two largest economies to find common ground over trade and technology through dialogue and negotiation to avoid such a scenario.

"Now, it is clear that, at the present moment, there are a number of differences," he said.

"I've been advocating, both with the US and China, on the importance of a serious dialogue and a serious negotiation."