Wang Yi and Rubio discuss "high-level interaction" via telephone
Tokyo (ANTARA) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed “high-level interaction” during a telephone conversation on Thursday (17/9), according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The discussion between Wang and Rubio takes place one week before the leaders of both nations are scheduled to hold talks in Washington.
In recent developments, a White House official stated that US President Donald Trump is personally scheduled to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday afternoon (23/9) with a welcoming ceremony at Joint Base Andrews.
Trump’s plan to host the arrival at the airport on the outskirts of the US capital serves as an extraordinary gesture, occurring just one day before the high-level meeting between Trump and Xi at the White House.
This appears to reflect a strong desire to build a stable US-China relationship, at least for the time being.
Previously, during Trump’s state visit to Beijing last May, he was received by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport.
In a telephone call with Rubio, Wang emphasised that head-of-state diplomacy serves as an “anchor” for China-US relations. Both nations must also prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges by upholding the spirit of equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit, according to the statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Wang stated that China-US relations have generally progressed along a path of constructive strategic stability, as mapped out by Xi and Trump, helping to meet the expectations of the international community.
He also urged the two great powers, China and the US, to strengthen communication, advance cooperation, manage differences, respect each other’s core interests, and send positive messages to jointly promote global peace and development.
Wang and Rubio also exchanged views regarding the situation in the Middle East.
On Wednesday (16/9), Foreign Minister Wang held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing. During the conversation, Wang urged Iran and the US to remain rational and exercise restraint, and to engage in “substantive consultations.”
Wang also told Araghchi that the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran is not in line with the common interests of the international community.