BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) -- It is China's long-standing policy to expand imports to meet Chinese people's ever-increasing consumption demands and to promote high-quality economic growth, the Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday.

China-U.S. economic ties are highly complementary and bilateral trade has great potential, the ministry said in a press release in response to media reports which quoted U.S. government officials as saying that China would significantly increase imports of U.S. agricultural and energy products.

China welcomes high-quality, competitive U.S. products into its market, said the press release.

Commenting on U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross' upcoming visit to China, the ministry said in line with the consensus reached through consultations in Washington, both sides will earnestly implement the contents of the joint statement, including the purchase of agricultural and energy products.