Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Saturday urged the United States to open the exports of hi-tech products to China and acknowledge China's market economy status.

Wen made the call while having an online chat with netizens.

He said China indeed has a trade surplus with the United States, but that is not the goal of China.

"We hope the Sino-U.S. trade is balanced and sustainable. Our goal is to achieve a basic balance of international payments," he said.

"We expect both countries to open markets to each other. In particular, the Unites States should acknowledge China's market economy status and open the exports of hi-tech products to China," he said.

Wen recalled a joke he had told in a speech during his visit to the United States, and said the United States actually exports two products to China -- soybeans and airplanes.

"In fact, if the United States loosens restrictions over the exports of some hi-tech products to China, the bilateral trade surplus will narrow," he said.

"You should not let Chinese always eat beans on airplanes," he added jokingly.