BEIJING — The China-US phase one trade deal is expected to further deepen bilateral agricultural cooperation and strengthen the role of agriculture as an important pillar of bilateral relations, an official said on Dec 13.

The agreement, when implemented, will increase China's agricultural exports to and imports from the United States, Han Jun, vice-minister of agriculture and rural affairs, told a news briefing regarding the two countries' phase one trade deal.

The United States agreed to allow Chinese pears, oranges and fresh dates to be exported to the country, Han noted, adding that the US side also made a positive commitment to lift some restrictions on Chinese aquatic products.

"Some of these issues have been discussed for more than 10 years, and this time we have finally made substantial breakthroughs," Han said.

After the deal takes effect, China will increase imports of agricultural products from the United States, including soybeans, pork, poultry, wheat and corn, Han said.

The country will ensure basic self-sufficiency of grain and food security, Han added.

China and the United States have agreed on the text of the phase one economic and trade agreement based on the principle of equality and mutual respect, according to a statement issued by the Chinese side on Dec 13.

The text includes nine chapters: the preface, intellectual property rights, technology transfer, food and agricultural products, financial services, exchange rate and transparency, trade expansion, bilateral assessment and dispute settlement, and the final terms.