U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that China was buying a “tremendous amount” of U.S. soybeans and that trade talks with Beijing were under way by telephone, with more meetings likely among U.S. and Chinese officials.

The Nikkei share average soared 2.2 percent to 21,602.75 points, its biggest daily percentage gain since early November. It had ended at the lowest closing level since March in the previous session.

• Chinese and Hong Kong stocks edged higher on Wednesday after Huawei’s chief financial officer was granted bail by a Canadian court, and as U.S. President Donald trump sounded upbeat about a trade deal with China.

However, investors stayed on the sidelines, fearing further losses towards the end of a challenging year.

The Shanghai Composite index edged 0.2 percent higher at 2,599.16. The blue-chip CSI300 index also traded 0.2 percent higher.