SHANGHAI: China stocks closed slightly lower on Tuesday amid investor caution as US and Chinese officials seek to reach a trade deal in Beijing.
The blue-chip CSI300 index fell 0.2 per cent, to 3,047.70 while Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.3 per cent to 2,526.46.US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross predicted on Monday that Beijing and Washington could reach a trade deal that "we can live with" as dozens of officials from world's two largest economies resumed talks in a bid to end their trade dispute.China's foreign ministry said Beijing had "good faith" to work with United States to resolve trade frictions, but many analysts doubt two sides can reach a comprehensive agreement on all of divisive issues before a March deadline.There seemed to be scant market reaction to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's visit in China.
The CSI300 financial sector sub-index was lower by 0.45 per cent, while healthcare sub-index was up 0.37 per cent.
The smaller Shenzhen index ended down 0.12 per cent and start-up board ChiNext Composite index was weaker by 0.36 per cent.
Around region, MSCI's Asia ex-Japan stock index was weaker by 0.21 per cent while Japan's Nikkei index closed up 0.82 percent.
At 07:33 GMT, yuan was quoted at 6.8574 per US dollar, 0.1 per cent weaker than previous close of 6.8505.
The largest percentage gainers on main Shanghai Composite index were Jinzhou Port Co Ltd, up 10.07 per cent, followed by Pengqi Technology Development Co Ltd, gaining 10.06 per cent, and Zhejiang Tiantai Xianghe Industrial Co Ltd, up by 10.03 per cent.
The largest percentage losers on Shanghai index were Wuxi New Hongtai Electrical Technology Co Ltd, down 9.98 per cent, followed by Pengqi Technology Development Co Ltd , losing 9.82 per cent, and BTG Hotels Group Co Ltd , down by 7.18 per cent.