China, US promise better protection for business secrets

BEIJING-The Associated Press

AP Photo

United States and Chinese envoys have promised closer cooperation on protecting business secrets following two days of trade talks but gave no indication of progress toward a long-awaited investment treaty.

 The two governments said on Nov. 24 they also agreed to work more closely on food security and combating illegal logging and wildlife trafficking at the annual meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.

The two sides promised to strengthen protection of business secrets, a sensitive issue for U.S. companies that accuse Beijing of failing to do enough to stop patent and copyright violations.

The governments gave no indication of progress on a broader investment treaty American business groups hope will improve conditions for them in China.