BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- China hopes the upcoming U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) meeting will address differences and further improve bilateral ties.

"China hopes the meeting will expand mutual cooperation and maintain the healthy and stable development of bilateral economic and trade relations between China and the United States," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Tuesday.

China has consistently advocated open dialogue and pragmatic consultations to properly address differences between the two countries through normal channels, Jiang said.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan arrived in Washington on Monday, leading a delegation of nearly 100 officials for the 21st meeting of the JCCT.

The two sides will exchange views on trade, investment, agricultural products, technologies and standards of inspection and quarantine, intellectual property rights, bilateral exchanges and cooperation, Jiang said.

Wang will co-chair the meeting from Dec. 14 to 15 with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Faye Locke and Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

The JCCT was established in 1983 as a platform for the two countries to promote trade relations and address issues of mutual concern.

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