Beijing (AFP)

Chinese and American negotiators spoke on Tuesday and agreed to stay in touch in order to reach a "preliminary agreement" in the trade war between the two powers, reported Tuesday the agency China New.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He held talks with his US counterparts, Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, according to the official news agency.

"The two sides discussed how to solve their mutual basic concerns," said China News.

"They have reached a consensus on how to solve these problems and have agreed to maintain their communication on the issues still pending in the negotiations on a preliminary agreement," the agency said without further details.

Global stock markets rebounded this week, driven by optimistic investors hoping for the upcoming signing of a partial deal between the world's largest economies.

China on Sunday issued a directive calling for stronger sanctions against Chinese companies that violate the law on intellectual property - a crucial issue in the Beijing-Washington trade talks.

© 2019 AFP