Doha: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have held talks in Manila on preparations for Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to Washington in September, alongside discussions on key strategic and trade issues. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers' gathering.

According to Qatar News Agency, Rubio described the talks as constructive, emphasizing the focus on managing the complex relationship between the world's two largest economies. Key topics included trade, Taiwan, and areas of potential cooperation ahead of the anticipated summit between the two leaders.

Wang Yi highlighted the necessity for the United States to respect China's core interests and adhere to the One China principle, identifying Taiwan as the most significant challenge to bilateral ties. Furthermore, the discussions extended to regional issues, including tensions in the Middle East, maritime security, and the South China Sea.