Progress made in Sino-U.S. economic and trade negotiations: MOFCOM

China and the U.S. held vice-ministerial level telephone talks Friday on matters of common concern including the balance of trade between the two countries and protection of intellectual property rights, according to a statement released by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Sunday.

Both sides discussed schedules of upcoming talks and visits.

Friday's vice-ministerial level trade discussions between Beijing and Washington are the second such contact in less than a week following talks on Wednesday.