Alaska Democrat Mark Begich has been named to head a US Senate group that works with members of China's National People's Congress on improving bilateral ties.

Begich, whose appointment to lead the US-China Inter-Parliamentary Group was announced earlier this week, said his top priority will be to advance trade between the world's two biggest economies.

"With Alaska's economy tied to international trade more than most states, I look forward to working with members of China's national parliament to increase fair and open trade between our nations," he said in a statement.

"Improving relationships between American and Chinese national officials should help resolve our differences on issues such as human rights and religious freedom and trade policy."

The senator noted that China overtook Japan as Alaska's top export market in 2012, buying nearly $1.4 billion worth of seafood, minerals, forest products and fishmeal from the largest US state by area.

The Chinese market accounts for about a quarter of Alaska's exports overall. In 2000, Alaska-to-China exports were just $103 million. Alaska's statewide "at-large" seat in the US House of Representatives - now held by Republican Don Young - was the fifth-leading congressional district that exported goods and services to China last year, according to the US-China Business Council in Washington.

The Inter-Parliamentary Group, formed in 2004, consists of 12 senators from the two parties in the Senate. Its mandate is to work on a bipartisan basis with Chinese counterparts in advancing US-China relations through visits to each other's country.

Begich said he expects that members of the National People's Congress will visit Washington later this year. Begich was picked by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to succeed Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington state, who had led the US-China parliamentary group since 2009.

The Alaska senator also has a say on US trade policy as a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and the President's Export Council, which includes lawmakers, cabinet secretaries and business leaders who advise the White House on ways to promote US exports.

(China Daily 04/05/2013 page10)