Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held a positive and constructive telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as Washington and Beijing prepare for a planned meeting between their leaders next week.
During the call, the two diplomats exchanged views on China-US relations and interactions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, according to Chinese state media.
The conversation comes ahead of Trump’s scheduled visit to Asia, during which he is expected to meet Xi Jinping. The anticipated meeting has drawn attention amid efforts by the two countries to manage their differences and maintain communication on key bilateral and international issues.
Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that Beijing remained committed to strengthening communication and cooperation with Washington while properly managing differences and sensitive issues.
He recalled Xi’s visit to the United States in September, during which the Chinese President and Trump agreed to enrich the connotation of the new positioning of China-US relations.
According to Wang, the understanding reached by the two leaders provided clearer strategic guidance for exploring a way for the two major powers to coexist.
He described the stable momentum in bilateral relations as a development that had not come easily, adding that maintaining it reflected a rational choice based on the respective and shared interests of both countries.
Wang also emphasised that China’s policy towards the United States remained stable and consistent.
“China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with the US, properly handle differences and sensitive issues.”
Wang Yi
He further called for both countries to support each other in hosting major international gatherings scheduled for 2026, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting and the Group of 20 (G20) Summit.
The Chinese Foreign Minister urged the two sides to translate their stated ambition of building a constructive relationship based on strategic stability into tangible outcomes.
US, China Signal Interest iIn Maintaining Dialogue
The call comes as both governments seek to sustain diplomatic engagement ahead of the expected Trump-Xi meeting.
On Tuesday night, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the relationship between Washington and Beijing as “one of this century’s most consequential relationships” during a gala in New York attended by Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng.
His remarks underscored the significance of the relationship, which spans trade, economic cooperation, security and international diplomacy.
Although the two countries have faced disagreements across several policy areas, the latest telephone conversation highlights their continued use of high-level diplomatic channels to discuss differences and identify areas of cooperation.
Wang’s remarks also placed emphasis on the importance of maintaining strategic stability, suggesting that Beijing wants the anticipated engagement between the two leaders to produce concrete progress.
China Reaffirms Support for Cuba
Separately, Wang reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Cuba’s sovereignty and its opposition to sanctions and foreign interference during a meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla in Beijing today.
Rodríguez, who was visiting as a special envoy of Cuba’s party and government, held discussions with Wang on bilateral relations and cooperation on international and regional issues.
Wang said that China firmly supported Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests.
He also opposed sanctions, blockades and foreign interference in Cuba’s internal affairs, reiterating Beijing’s position on the country’s right to determine its own affairs.
The Chinese Foreign Minister said that Beijing was prepared to work with Havana to strengthen mutual support on the multilateral stage, oppose power politics and unilateral actions, and promote unity among countries of the Global South.
Rodríguez, in turn, reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to the one-China principle and expressed support for the four major global initiatives proposed by Xi.
He also endorsed the Chinese president’s vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, saying Havana was willing to strengthen coordination with Beijing in multilateral affairs and pursue further cooperation.
Both sides agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation and improve coordination on international and regional matters.
The meeting reflects the continued diplomatic relationship between China and Cuba, as Beijing seeks to strengthen ties with partners across the Global South.
Wang’s engagements with Rubio and Rodríguez highlight China’s parallel diplomatic priorities: maintaining communication with the United States ahead of a high-level leaders’ meeting while reinforcing cooperation with longstanding partners.
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