Chinese and U.S. senior officials Tuesday vowed to improve trade ties in a bid to create a "positive atmosphere" for the upcoming meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart George Walker Bush in Washington next month.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez (L) shakes hands with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing March 28, 2006. Gutierrez held talks with Chinese top officials Tuesday. [Reuters]

"The two commerce ministries should work together to ensure the success of the 17th meeting of the Sino-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade," Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi told visiting U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez.

"Only in this way, can we promote the sound and stable growth of Sino-U.S. trade and create a positive atmosphere for President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States," she said during the 100-minute meeting in Zhongnanhai, the compound of the State Council.

Sino-U.S. trade hit 212 billion U.S. dollars last year. China has become the fourth largest export market and the third largest trade partner of the United States.

Wu hailed the soaring Sino-U.S. trade in 2005, saying it benefited both sides hugely.

"There is a great potential for the development of Sino-U.S. trade, which is in line with the interests of the two countries and their people," Wu said

The Sino-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade is an important mechanism for the promotion of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, she acknowledged.

Gutierrez said he hoped that the two sides could reach more consensus during the 17th meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, which will be held on the eve of the meeting between President George W. Bush and President Hu Jintao.