British Business Secretary Peter Mandelson led a delegation to China on Sunday to discuss trade and G20 commitments ahead of the Pittsburgh meeting.

During Mandelson's visit, from today through Thursday, he will give a speech at a low-carbon business solutions conference in Beijing, where 250 British and Chinese companies are set to meet. He will also sign a "Sustainable City" memorandum of understanding with Changsha, Hunan Province.

With Britain mired in its worst recession in decades, the British government has repeatedly talked of the need to expand trade and build better links with fast-emerging economies, such as China.

Mandelson will press for better market access for British companies, particularly in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, financial and legal services, and energy, his department said.

"China is one of the world's largest producers and consumers of goods and services, and its role is critical to the global recovery," Mandelson said in a statement. "China is an exciting market for UK business ... My challenge is to promote British exports, encourage Chinese investment in the UK and continue to strengthen our good working relations with the Chinese government."

The two sides will "discuss G20 commitments ... and market access opportunities," Britain's trade department said.

Britain and China are working toward a bilateral trade target of $60 billion by 2010, while talks have been held to help Chinese firms list on British stock markets.

Mandelson said in an interview before his departure that China has taken every measure possible to mitigate the impact of the global financial crisis, which has contributed to the recovery of the world economy.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan led a 60-strong delegation to Britain in May to follow up an economic summit in Beijing last year.

Mandelson called China's stimulus package "a very impressive commitment to rebuild its economy, and the welcome effects are already being felt."

China has contributed to the rebalancing of the world economy by reorienting its own growth model to stimulate domestic consumption, the business secretary said.