Beijing - U.S. and Chinese trade envoys on Tuesday promised to work together to protect business secrets and Beijing appeared to give ground in a dispute over proposed technology security rules for its banks.

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

Attended by Cabinet-level trade, agriculture and other officials, the event was the highest-level contact between governments of the world’s two largest economies since Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Washington in September and met President Barack Obama.

There was no sign of progress on larger issues such as a proposed investment treaty on which U.S. businesses are urging both sides to reach agreement.... Read More: VIN