CHENGDU - Vice Premier Wang Qishan said on Monday that an unbalanced recovery would be better than a balanced recession, in light of the current condition of the global economy.

He made the remark at the 22nd session of the China-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), held in China's southwestern city of Chengdu.

The two countries' stable development will make positive contributions to the world, Wang said, adding that China is ready to conduct closer and broader economic cooperation with the United States.

Wang called on the United States to make substantive progress in relaxing controls on high-tech exports to China, avoiding the abuse of trade remedies, recognizing China's market economy status, and giving equal treatment to Chinese companies that invest in the United States.

China and the United States should reject trade protectionism, avoid politicizing economic issues and work together to promote the robust, sustainable and balanced growth of the world economy, Wang said.

He lauded the rapid development of Sino-US trade and investment, noting that two-way trade volume from January to October hit $363.1 billion, demonstrating year-on-year growth of 17 percent.

China has made positive accomplishments in protecting intellectual property, promoting the use of genuine computer software and cracking down on counterfeiting, Wang said.

Wang co-chaired the meeting with US Commerce Secretary John Bryson and Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

Senior Chinese officials, including international trade representative Gao Hucheng, Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu, Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai, Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao and Liu Tienan, head of the National Energy Administration, attended the meeting.

US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was also present as part of a US government delegation seeking more export opportunities from China.

The two sides are expected to sign a series of agreements on trade and economic matters after the meeting, which is due to conclude Monday afternoon.

During the JCCT meeting, the two sides will exchange views on trade and investment, agricultural products, quality inspection and quarantine, technology and intellectual property rights, as well as bilateral exchanges and cooperation, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

The two sides held a closed-door meeting on November 20.

Established in 1983, the JCCT is a platform for China and the United States to promote trade relations and address issues of mutual concern.

The 21st JCCT meeting was held in Washington D.C. on December 14 and 15, 2010.