The US Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke, who arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday, has asked for China's cooperation in promoting the development of clean energy and other technologies.

Locke says the move will help China achieve a stronger and more innovate ecosystem. The Secretary is leading a delegation of 24 US companies on a 10 day clean energy trade mission. It's part of US President Barack Obama's new National Export Initiative, which is aimed at doubling US exports and creating two million new jobs over the next five years.

Hong Kong is the trade mission's first stopover. Members will then move onto Shanghai and visit the World Expo, before heading to Beijing, where Locke is scheduled to attend the annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue between China and the United States.