Negotiations on the China-United States Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will make up most of the discussions during President Xi Jinping's forthcoming state visit to the US, the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

商务部16日表示，习近平主席即将对美国进行国事访问，中美双边投资协定谈判将成为此行的重要议题。

"Xi's upcoming state visit to the US is a matter of primary importance for Sino-US relations, and will exert a profound influence on the bilateral relationship and economic cooperation," said Shen Danyang, the ministry spokesman.

商务部发言人沈丹阳表示，习近平主席即将对美国进行的国事访问，是今年中美双边关系中的头等大事，将对两国关系和双边经贸关系产生深远影响。

沈丹阳表示，中方希望借此次访问契机（opportunities），进一步发挥经贸合作对双边关系压舱石和推进器（anchor and propeller of China-US relations）的作用，丰富中美新型大国关系的经贸内涵，促进双边经贸合作迈向新台阶（reaching a new high）。