WASHINGTON: The United States and China pledged Wednesday to find ways to cooperate in their often fractious trade relationship in their first high-level talks since major political events in the two powers.
Vice Premier Wang Qishan, the long-time Chinese pointperson on trade, opened annual trade talks in Washington in which the United States has said that intellectual property and other concerns will be high on the agenda.
The talks are the first since President Barack Obama won re-election and China went through a leadership huddle that made Xi Jinping -- whose views are a mystery to many in Washington -- the presumptive next president.
Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank said the coincidence of the political events in both countries showed it was a "historic time."
"We are entering a unique moment in which we can work together to ensure healthy, long-term and short-term growth of our relationship," she said as the two sides met in an ornate hall in central Washington.
Wang said that the continued struggles of the global economy showed the need for cooperation between the two countries through the annual forum, known as the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.
US Trade Representative Ron Kirk voiced hope that the two-day meeting will show "candor and commitment to problem-solving" and bring "measurable results that help stabilize and enhance our trade and investment relationship."
Ahead of the talks, Kirk said that the United States would seek action on intellectual property rights. US businesses accuse China of allowing rampant copyright violations of their products in the billion-plus nation
China, in turn, has warned the United States in the past against protectionism and called for the removal of restrictions on the sale of sensitive technologies.
The meeting will likely be the last between key trade players in the two nations. Wang was appointed China's top official tackling corruption -- seen as a top concern for the Communist Party as it seeks to preserve its rule.
Obama will soon name a new administration. In the November 6 election he defeated Republican Mitt Romney, who had vowed a tougher line on China including on trade.
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