China presses US to end tech export controls

BEIJING (AP) - China pressed the United States at a high-level dialogue Monday to end export curbs on "dual use" technology with possible military applications.

Beijing has pressed for years to ease such controls, saying high-tech exports could help to narrow the U.S. trade deficit with China. American officials say the controls affect few products and are needed to ensure national security.

"During this dialogue, we hope to hear from the U.S. side in detail its timetable and roadmap for gradually removing barriers to high-tech exports to China," said Vice Premier Wang Qishan at a meeting with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and other U.S. officials.

Washington is in the midst of a review of its export controls, which are meant to deny China's military access to technology that might aid its modernization. They apply to goods such as supercomputers, lasers, navigation systems and high-performance materials used in missiles.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said during a visit to Beijing last week that less than 1 percent of U.S. exports fall under the controls and 98 percent of requests for export licenses are granted.

Locke said the review of the system was expected to be completed by summer and Washington would then decide whether to change its controls.