(Xinhua News Agency) On September 16, the 19th session of the China-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) is held at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Los Angeles. Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan participates in and co-chairs the session with US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and US Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab. The two sides agree unanimously to strengthen cooperation of 12 working groups such as IPR Protection under the framework of Sino-US JCCT and continue to properly resolve economic and trade problems of both concerns through negotiation.

Mr. Wang points out that on the occasion that China and the United States are welcoming the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relationship and the 25th anniversary of the China-US JCCT commission, it is of specially great significance to hold session of Sino-US JCCT at the library named after US former President Richard Nixon, who actually initiates Sino-US relations. Chinese and US leaders constantly attach importance to the construction and development of Sino-US JCCT. During the 25 years, the mechanism has been serving as an important platform of negotiation in areas such as trade and investment for both sides, playing an important role in enhancing bilateral economic and trade cooperation. At this session of JCCT, both parties have made important achievements under the principles of enhancing cooperation, promoting development, alleviating contradiction and increasing mutual-trust and on the basis of having the eyes on the future, highlighting cooperation, equity and mutual benefit.

Mr. Gutierrez says that the United States attaches great importance to the mechanism of Sino-US JCCT, and would like to constantly deepen dialogue and cooperation and strengthen partnership with China under the mechanism so as to create the bright future of Sino-US economic and trade relations. Mr. Schwab indicates that there is nearly no trade between China and the United States at the time when President Nixon visits China; now, China has become the second largest trade partner of the United States. The US side would like to, through the mechanism of JCCT, resolve the problems in the process of enhancing economic and trade cooperation with China, so as to maintain the long-lasting and stable development of the bilateral economic relations and benefit peoples of both countries.

After the session, Mr. Wang, Mr. Gutierrez and Mr. Schwab meet the press and participate in the signing ceremony of the five cooperative agreements, memorandums and exchange of notes in the areas of food security, import loan of medical appliance, agricultural cooperation, promotion of digital TV program and trade statistics.