BEIJING -- China on Monday called on the United States to enhance trade cooperation in order to reach an agreement that would benefit both nations.

China's Commerce Minister Bo Xilai (L) shakes hands with US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez during a meeting in Beijing November 13, 2006. [Reuters]

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"We hope both sides can sympathize with each other's concerns," said Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi, in a meeting with Carlos Gutierrez, secretary of the US Department of Commerce.

Wu also noted the Chinese government had attached importance to trade relations with the US, and in the recent years, Sino-US trade had increased rapidly.

She gave particular mention to the US visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao this April, and the 17th meeting of the Sino-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, as well as the recent declaration by both countries to establish a strategic economic dialogue mechanism. She said these events had laid a solid foundation for trade cooperation.

Gutierrez said that he would encourage US entrepreneurs to explore ways to further trade cooperation and that he would continue to push forward economic relations between US and China.