WASHINGTON — During the 20th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) to be held Oct. 28-29 in Hangzhou, China, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk will serve as co-chairs with Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be on hand to address key U.S. trade and economic priorities. Established in 1983, the J.C.C.T. is the main forum for addressing bilateral trade matters and promoting commercial opportunities between the U.S. and China.

"With two-way trade between the U.S. and China in agricultural, fish and forest products exceeding $21 billion in 2008, American farmers and ranchers recognize the benefits of our economic engagement with China, but they also rightly seek great equity and balance in our trade relationship," Mr. Vilsack said. "The J.C.C.T. is an opportunity to work with China to address the wide range of trade and economic issues that affect the lives of U.S. agricultural producers and consumers."