“Both sides should preserve the hard-won stability, thoroughly prepare for major high-level exchanges, expand the scope of cooperation, and keep differences under control,” Wang Yi told Marco Rubio, according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Chinese foreign minister also called for working toward “strategic, constructive, and stable relations, based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and mutually beneficial cooperation” for both countries.
The conversation between Wang and Rubio comes two weeks before U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China, during which he is expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.
Trump’s trip is being presented as an important opportunity to permanently ease the bilateral tensions of 2025, following the Republican’s return to the White House.
Read more: China advocates for “legitimate and transparent” cooperation with Cuba in response to the U.S.
Last year was marked by an economic battle, with the imposition of tariffs and various trade restrictions, until a truce was announced in October following a meeting between Xi and Trump in South Korea.
The other major point of contention between Beijing and Washington is the issue of Taiwan. The United States is Taipei’s main arms supplier and offers it diplomatic support that displeases Beijing.
“The Taiwan issue affects China’s core interests and constitutes the biggest risk factor in Sino-American relations,” Wang Yi emphasized during his conversation with Marco Rubio.
