Efforts to curb protectionism are likely to be the focus of a trade summit between China and the United States next week.

Senior officials from both countries will meet in Hangzhou for two days starting Thursday for the 20th US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) - the first under the Obama administration. The JCCT is the top forum for addressing bilateral trade matters and promoting commercial opportunities between the US and China.

US Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk and US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will attend the summit.