China, October 2009

October 27-29, 2009
19,718 miles total

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk traveled to Hangzhou, China on October 27, 2009 for the 20th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT). Ambassador Kirk and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke serve as co-chairs of the JCCT as well as Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will also attend JCCT to address key U.S. trade and economic priorities.

The 2009 JCCT was held at the historic Xizi hotel in Hangzhou, China. On October 28th, Ambassador Kirk joined Secretary Vilsack to witness the signing of an agreement to form a U.S.-China Joint Venture Construction Company and attended the opening JCCT banquet. On Thursday, October 29th, Ambassador Kirk  participated in a daylong plenary session with his fellow JCCT co-chairs Secretary Locke and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan as well as Secretary Vilsack. American and Chinese officials also included review of progress made by a large number of working groups convened throughout the year to bring U.S. and Chinese officials together to engage in detailed discussions of specific trade issues. Examples of these groups included the IPR Working Group, the Insurance Dialogue, and the Information Industry Working Group.

The JCCT serves as a high-level government-to-government dialogue seeking to open market opportunities and resolve bilateral trade disputes. The JCCT also provides a forum for enhancing bilateral cooperation, and for broader, strategic discussions of U.S. and Chinese trade policies.

See pictures from the trip here.

Related Information:

• U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Witness the Signing of Commercial Agreement during China Visit

• USTR Kirk and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announce China's Intent to Re-Open the Chinese Market to U.S. Pork Products

• China Agrees to Improve Access for U.S. Energy Companies, Reopen Market to U.S. Pork, Clamp Down on Internet Piracy at the 20th Session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

• Fact Sheet: 2009 U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

Related Blogs:

• Weekly Trade Focus: Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

• VIDEO: AUSTR Tim Stratford on the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

• Ambassador Kirk at the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

• Ambassador Kirk at the JCCT Signing Ceremony

• Ambassador Kirk Concludes the 20th Session of the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

• What People are Saying About This Week's JCCT