WASHINGTON, DC - United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk arrived in Hangzhou, China today 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 will be held at the historic Xizi hotel in Hangzhou, China. Tomorrow, October 28th, Ambassador Kirk will join Secretary Vilsack to witness the signing of an agreement to form a U.S.-China Joint Venture Construction Company as well as attend the opening JCCT banquet. On Thursday, October 29th, Ambassador Kirk will participate 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 will also include 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 include 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.
