US Commerce chief meets Chinese tourism minister

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who is in China on a four-day official visit, on Tuesday met Chinese Culture and Tourism Minister Hu Heping, state media reported.

No other details were shared regarding the meeting in Beijing.

Raimondo on Monday met Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, and the two agreed to establish a new commercial issues working group, as well as launch the export control enforcement information exchange.

A US press handout described the meeting as “part of ongoing efforts to deliver on President Biden’s directive following his meeting with President Xi in November 2022 to deepen bilateral discussions.”

They agreed that the working group will meet twice annually at the vice minister level, with the US hosting the first meeting in early 2024.

Raimondo and Wang also resolved to hold technical discussions regarding strengthening the protection of trade secrets and confidential business information, and communicate regularly at the secretary and minister-level about commercial and economic issues.

Raimondo landed in the Chinese capital on Sunday. It is the first trip to China by a sitting US commerce chief in seven years.​​​​​​