China and the United States should strengthen economic and trade ties and Washington should avoid decoupling from China, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday, during a meeting with a visiting U.S. delegation, Chinese state radio reported.

The U.S. economy grew at a solid clip in the fourth quarter amid robust consumer spending, the government confirmed on Wednesday, which bodes well for the outlook this year despite a weak start because of bad weather.

Most Asian stocks moved in a flat-to-low range on Thursday in anticipation of more cues on U.S. interest rates from key inflation data, while Chinese markets rebounded from heavy losses in the prior session. 

Oil prices eased early on Thursday after a larger-than-expected build in U.S. crude stockpiles stoked worries about slow demand, while signs that U.S. interest rates could remain elevated for longer also added to pressure.

U.S. consumer confidence retreated in February after three straight monthly increases as households worried about the labor market and the domestic political environment.

Orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods fell by the most in nearly four years in January, while business investment on equipment appeared to have eased, signs that the economy lost momentum at the start of the year.