"I look forward to this important JCCT meeting. We have a number of trade and economic issues to address. While U.S. exports to China are growing, many barriers remain," said U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez.

"We will be working with our counterparts in China to continue delivering results for American workers, businesses, farmers and ranchers, and expanding access to the Chinese market," he added.

"The JCCT is a vital forum that deals with the nuts-and-bolts of trade," said U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab. "It has helped the U.S. and China address and resolve challenging trade issues in the past, and we are looking for it to do so this year as well."

Commenced in 1983, this 18th plenary JCCT session will be co- chaired on the U.S. side by Commerce Secretary Gutierrez and USTR Schwab and on the Chinese side by Vice Premier Wu Yi, according to a statement released by U.S. Trade Representative Office.

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns will also participate in the JCCT, the statement added.

The JCCT, the bilateral venue for the U.S. and China to address trade and market access issues, has over a dozen working groups and sub-groups that meet throughout the year to work on a range of trade and investment issues.