国内英语新闻:U.S. official says U.S.-China relations should not be portrayed as a zero sum game

WASHINGTON, June 23 (Xinhua) -- China represents a huge opportunity for American businesses, and the relationship between the two countries should not be portrayed as a zero sum game, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said on Wednesday.

"There are so many opportunities for trade to benefit both China and the United States," Locke said at a Senate Finance Committee hearing.

"I have seen those benefits first hand over the last 20 years, as Commerce Secretary, as an attorney in private practice, and as the governor of Washington State, where I helped double exports to China during my tenure."

According to Locke, thanks to strong Chinese demand growth and recovery in prices of agricultural products, now the U.S. exports to China are growing faster than overall U.S. exports.

"We should neither underestimate the importance of the China market nor the potential it holds for American exporters who tap into it."

During the same hearing, Ron Kirk, the U.S. trade representative, also hailed the opportunities provided by the China's growing economy.

"Thanks to China's strong recovery from the global recession, we have seen double digit growth in a variety of export sectors, ranging from high-end manufactured goods and chemical products to agricultural goods like soybeans," said Kirk.