China and the United States agreed Wednesday to enhance cooperation to protect Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and strengthen bilateral economic and trade ties at their annual trade talks.

"China and the United States enjoy a traditional cooperation in the field of intellectual property with years of close exchanges and communications in various ways," Tian Lipu, director of China's State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), said Wednesday at a press conference after the conclusion of the 21st Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) meeting in Washington, D.C.

Tian said the IPR issue belonged to the first category of topics discussed during the two-day bilateral trade talks, which have achieved practical outcomes and results.

"Both countries have well recognized that cooperation and exchange of experiences shall be strengthened," Tian said.

China has launched the Special Campaign on Combating IPR Infringement and Manufacture and Sales of Counterfeiting and Shoddy Commodities. It also agreed to discuss the determination of Internet indirect infringement liability with the United States before March 2011.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk praised what China has done in this field.

Kirk said the meeting had produced "tangible and positive results."

The JCCT meeting was co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, Locke, and Kirk.

The JCCT, a mechanism established in 1983, has served as an important platform for both countries to promote trade and address issues of mutual concern.