China and the United Kingdom have vowed to promote cooperation in trade and investment, enhance dialogue on trade protectionism, work for the resumption of the Doha talks and protect intellectual property rights.

The agreement was reached in the meeting of the Sino-British Trade and Investment Joint Committee held in Beijing.

Yixiu has more.

Reporter:

At the sixth conference of the Sino-British Trade and Investment Joint Committee held on Monday, Chinese Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai met with Alistair Darling, Britain's Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

The meeting touched upon various issues relating to Sin-British trade exchanges.

Bo Xilai says that the Chinese side is more concerned with topics such as anti-dumping, the entry of traditional Chinese medicine to the UK, and the early recognition of China's market economy status by the European Union.

Bo Xilai says he's looking forward to seeing Britain play a constructive role in an early EU decision on China's market economy status.

"We appreciate that Britain has all along adhered to free trade principle while dealing with China's trade issues. The British side has also expressed their full support in recognizing China's market economy status."

Trade volumes between China and UK have been increasing by 20 per cent year by year.

The visit by Alistair Darling, Britain's Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, together with a 15-member delegation, is a mission to further promote trade and investment.

Darling says during the meeting, the British side was more focused on expanding its trade issues.

"We've laid very much emphasis on financial services and banking insurance but also in relation to construction and pharmaceuticals and business generally. What we want to do is to make sure there's much exchange as possible."

Both sides have called for the resumption of the Doha round negotiations, which were indefinitely suspended in July due to bitter differences among major WTO members.

They've also agreed to strengthen dialogue and coordination in IPR protection.

Yixiu, CRI news.