by Ming Jinwei

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke begins an 11-day visit to China on Saturday with plans to explore profit opportunities for a delegation of clean-energy company executives accompanying him on the trip.

At the same time, the Chinese government and the public are eagerly expecting unwavering U.S. promises about free and unhindered bilateral trade relations.

Secretary Locke sees great opportunities for U.S. companies in the Chinese clean energy market. He has thus included in his delegation the top executives from 24 companies that can offer advanced technology ranging from energy efficiency to electricity storage, transmission and distribution.

Bilateral cooperation in the clean energy sector not only benefits the U.S. and China, it also aids the global fight against climate change.

As China opens its market to foreign companies capable of providing competitive green technology solutions, American businesses will have to earn their lucrative market share by giving something China sincerely seeks.

Firstly, China wants to hear from Secretary Locke again that Washington will renounce protectionist measures, not just with lip service, but with verifiable actions.

During the past couple of years, the United States has slapped heavy tariffs on a variety of Chinese products ranging from tires to steel pipes. Those tariffs have crippled many Chinese manufacturers and forced the dismissal of tens of thousands of Chinese workers.

Washington ought to never ignore the impact of its practices and keep its markets open to Chinese exports in a fair way.

Secondly, Washington needs to seriously review the U.S. export controls that have barred American companies from selling high-tech products to China.

The Pentagon and other U.S. cabinet departments say the practices are in place to protect America's national security but many regard the policies as an outdated cold-war mentality and bizarre bureaucracy.

Therefore, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Washington can't get what it wants from China if China can't buy what it desires from the U.S.

It is a good thing to hear Secretary Locke say the export controls are currently under review and changes are already in the pipeline.

A sustainable partnership must be based on reciprocal actions. When one side hopes to get something from the other side, it has to at least make a promise or two to offer something back. That��s called mutual benefit. This well applies to Sino-U.S. relations, too.