Wang Yi, Rubio discuss China-US ties ahead of expected Xi-Trump summit
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone on Thursday ahead of President Xi Jinping's expected visit to Washington next week for a summit with US President Donald Trump. An official Chinese press release said the two sides held in-depth discussions on high-level exchanges between China and the US, but did not mention the expected summit.
According to reports from the US, the summit between Xi and Trump is scheduled for September 24, though Beijing has so far not announced any dates. If held, it will be their second meeting this year after Trump visited Beijing and held talks with Xi in May.
The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Thursday that Trump plans to give Xi a rare airport reception by personally receiving him on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews when the Chinese President arrives on September 23.
During the call with Rubio, Wang said China-US ties had, over a period of time, generally moved forward along the track of "constructive strategic stability" set by the two heads of state, which he said met the expectations of the international community. He said head-of-state diplomacy is the "stabilising anchor" of China-US relations.
Wang said both sides should, in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, make proper preparations for the next stage of high-level exchanges, enhance communication, advance cooperation, manage differences and respect each other's core interests. He added that this would send a positive message that China and the US are committed to advancing a constructive and strategically stable relationship and jointly promoting world peace and development. The two sides also exchanged views on issues including the situation in the Middle East, the release said.
The call came as attention turned to the proposed Xi-Trump summit, with both sides discussing high-level exchanges and the broader China-US relationship ahead of the expected meeting.
