WASHINGTON - Top US officials said Friday they will explore export opportunities for American products at high-level bilateral trade talks in China later this month.

"Our goals are to help open markets to US exports" in a bid to spur economic growth and meet the goal of doubling US exports by the end of 2014, Secretary of Commerce John Bryson said in a statement outlining US objectives at the upcoming 22nd China-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) meeting.

Trade Representative Ron Kirk said issues like intellectual property rights, investment and innovation will also be discussed at this year's JCCT meeting, which is "a key venue for ensuring that our bilateral trade relationship moves in a positive direction."

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said "partnerships with a growing market like China are integral to the strength of the US economy in the decades ahead."

Established in 1983, the JCCT is the main forum for addressing bilateral trade issues and promoting commercial opportunities between US and China.