China and US agree on major trade measures

US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, who is expected to leave the Obama administration in January, praised Wang for his leadership and devotion to better trade relations.

"Our presence demonstrates that our two countries can work hard to resolve trade and investment issues through engagement and dialogue at the highest level," he said.

But real success will be achieved by delivering tangible results, he said.

Minister of Commerce Chen Deming described the talks as "achieving positive results".

He pledged China will step up the IPR law enforcement, including the software used by State-owned enterprises, banks and government entities.

He said both countries have pledged to fight protectionism.

Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming (C) speaks as Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai (L) and Chinese Vice-Minister of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) Liu Lihua listen during a news conference at the 23rd session of the China-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Washington Dec 19, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

He expressed concern at the US Department of Commerce announcing on Tuesday it would levy high tariffs on wind towers imported from China.

According to Chen, more than 20 topics were discussed at the meetings on Wednesday.

The US hopes to increase beef exports to China while China wants to boost poultry exports to the US.

"American companies continue to see progress as a result of this high-level engagement," John Frisbie, president of the US-China Business Council, said. The council represents some 240 leading US companies that do business with China.

He Weiwen, co-director at the China-US-EU Study Center of the China Association of International Trade, said China and the US have made progress in protection of intellectual property rights.

"However, it's not easy to remove divergence on some key points. Therefore, seeking common ground is the way to tackle the problem," he said.

Mei Xinyu, a researcher at the International Trade and Economic Cooperation Institute of the Ministry of Commerce, urged Washington to widen access to Chinese investment as "it generates job opportunities".

Contact the writers at chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com and baochang@chinadaily.com.cn

AP contributed to this story.