BEIJING, Dec. 17 -- China has expressed hope that an upcoming bilateral trade meeting with the United States will lead to relaxed restrictions of technical exports to China and better cooperation on intellectual property protection.

The 24th Session of China-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) is expected to take place from Dec. 19 to Dec. 20 in Beijing. It will be co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily press briefing Tuesday that China attaches "great importance" to the meeting.

She said the two sides will exchange views on their respective concerns, and work on ways to increase cooperation.

China expects to work with the U.S. on the new model of major-country relationship, and begin a new stage of the bilateral relations, said Hua.

Hua praised the meeting's role in maintaining the healthy and sound development of bilateral economic and trade ties during the past 30 years.

The JCCT was launched in 1983 as a platform for the two countries to promote trade and address issues of mutual concern.