Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday that China hopes the United States would take concrete measures to relax its export restrictions and remove trade protectionism.

In a meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Wen said China will further its trade and economic cooperation with the United States on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

China will take positive measures to expand exports from the United States, encourage two-way investment and protect intellectual property rights, said Wen.

The premier highlighted the closer trade ties between the two countries, saying the establishment of an economic strategic dialogue mechanism adds a new channel for increasing understanding in the trade and economic area.

Last month, Vice Premier Wu Yi and US Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson announced the establishment of a China-US economic strategic dialogue mechanism, which will examine long-term strategic issues and provide coordination among specialized continuing dialogues.

Facts prove that China and the United States are increasing their common interests and expanding cooperation, said Wen, adding that the tendency will grow even stronger.

Rice said she believed the economic strategic dialogue would help expand overall US-China ties.

Rice's visit came amid international efforts to ease the tension arising from the DPRK nuclear test on Oct. 9.

China is the third leg of Rice's four-nation tour, which has taken her to Japan and the Republic of Korea. She is also scheduled to visit Russia following her China trip.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2006)