WASHINGTON (MNI) - U.S. and Chinese officials will convene the latest high-level gathering on trade issues Oct. 28-29 in China, the U.S. Trade Representative and Commerce Departments announced Thursday.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and U.S. Trade Representative Ronald Kirk, will meet with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan and others for the 20th U.S.China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Hangzhou, China. Agriculture Secretary of Tom Vilsack will also participate, the statement said.

The JCCT is separate from and more narrowly focused than the more high-visibility Strategic and Economic Dialogue started under the Bush administration and last held in Washington in July. The SED includes the State Department and encompasses political, security and environmental issues as well as trade.

"The JCCT is a high-level government-to-government forum for addressing trade and investment issues. The JCCT also provides a forum for enhancing bilateral cooperation, and for broader, strategic discussions of U.S. and Chinese trade policies," the statement said, noting there are "more than a dozen working groups and sub-groups that meet throughout the year."

The last session was held in 2008 in Yorba Linda, California.

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