HANGZHOU, China — China agreed Thursday to reopen its market to U.S. pork and live swine, remove barriers for American firms to China’s growing clean energy market, and clamp down on Internet piracy at the 20th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Hangzhou, China.

The session was co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk along with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack led the discussions on key agricultural issues.

“The 20th JCCT gave us the chance to see the great things our two countries have accomplished as well as the significant challenges that lie ahead,” Kirk said. “Today, we made good progress on these challenges, creating more economic opportunities to make trade work better for American workers, families and businesses. China committed to reenergize its efforts to open up its government procurement process, worth billions of dollars a year. China also announced a new campaign to clamp down on Internet piracy. This added protection is good news for America’screative industries. Our work here has built momentum for future successes, and our priority of creating and saving American jobs.”

“Two-way trade of agricultural, fish, and forest products between the United States and China has grown in recent years to over $21 billion per year, opening increasingly important connections that can benefit farmers, ranchers andconsumers in both countries,” said Vilsack. “China’s intent to remove its H1N1-related ban on U.S. pork marks an important step forward in cooperation between the countries on agriculture issues.”

“We are pleased that China agreed to remove local content requirements for foreign participation in China’s wind farm market, opening up China’s energy market to U.S. companies and creating jobs in America,” Locke said. “China’s renewable energy market is expected to reach $100 billion by 2020, and wind energy is its fastest growing sector. We hope this progress builds a solid foundation for President Obama’s visit in November,” Locke said.

The U.S. and Chinese governments signed nine agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the U.S. China Energy Cooperation Program, and witnessed two commercial signings. The ECP is an innovative new public-private partnership administered by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency that will leverage the expertise of U.S. companies to help develop clean energy solutions in China. The two governments also agreed to cooperate on initiatives in the areas of the environment, transparency, global distribution services and standards.

Established in 1983, the JCCT is the main forum for addressing bilateral trade matters and promoting commercial opportunities between the United States and China. The 2009 JCCT marks the first time three Cabinet officials in the Obama Administration have traveled together to a key economic summit abroad.

News, Pages 8 on 11/04/2009