BEIJING, Aug. 31 -- Establishing new communication channels between Chinese and U.S. commerce ministries is a crucial step to stabilize bilateral economic and trade ties and create an enabling environment for industrial and business communities to conduct practical cooperation, according to China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) Thursday.

Speaking at a regular press conference, MOC spokesperson Shu Jueting said the move would provide an important platform for the two countries' commerce ministries to carry out discussions on economic and trade issues of respective concern in an institutionalized and regular manner.