Premier Li Keqiang met with a US delegation attending the 24th Session of the China-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Beijing on Dec 19, 2013.

The US delegates to the talks include Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Trade Representative Michael Froman and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. During the meeting, Li Keqiang called for deepening economic ties and trade cooperation between the two countries.

The Premier said trade and economic cooperation is the stabilizer of China-US relations. He urged the US to relax restrictions on high-tech exports to China, and to fairly treat Chinese investments in the US.

Speaking of the latest round of economic talks, Li Keqiang said he expects both sides to take a pragmatic attitude and understand each other to seek good results.

Li added that common ground outweighs differences in China-US relations and the two sides should seek sound and steady growth of bilateral relations.

Pritzker, on behalf of the US delegation, said strong economic relations is of “vital importance” to both countries. She pledged to broaden cooperation with China in trade, investment, telecommunications, agriculture and food security, and deal with frictions properly.

The China-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade is an annual forum established between China and the US governments in 1983, aiming to boost trade and economic cooperation.