The conversation took place ahead of Xi's expected Washington visit next week, where he is scheduled, according to US reports, to meet Trump. The official Chinese press release said Wang and Rubio held in-depth discussions on high-level exchanges and contacts between China and the United States, but it did not mention the planned Xi-Trump summit.
According to US reports, the summit between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump is scheduled for September 24. Beijing, however, has not yet provided information confirming the dates of Xi's visit. Trump has said that he will host Xi and his wife at the White House and hold a state dinner in their honour.
During his conversation with Rubio, Wang Yi said China-US relations had, over time, moved forward along the path of constructive strategic stability set by the two countries' heads of state. He stressed that direct diplomacy between the leaders of the two countries is the main foundation for maintaining stability in China-US relations.
Wang called on both sides to strengthen communication and cooperation, manage differences and respect each other's core interests. He said China and the United States should send a positive message that both countries are committed to advancing stable and constructive relations while working together to promote world peace and development. China's Foreign Ministry said the two diplomats also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and other international issues.
The upcoming Xi-Trump meeting is also significant in the context of the US political calendar. November will bring the midterm elections, and reports say the Trump administration wants to demonstrate diplomatic achievements. Trump has said Xi and his wife will be welcomed at the White House on September 24, with a state dinner planned in the Chinese president's honour.
The Wang-Rubio conversation therefore comes as Beijing and Washington prepare for their next high-level engagement, with the expected Xi-Trump summit set to be a key moment in the two countries' diplomatic contacts
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