Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, emphasizing the need for both nations to prepare thoroughly for the next phase of high-level diplomatic engagements. Wang highlighted that these interactions should be grounded in principles of equality, mutual respect, and reciprocity.

Wang described head-of-state diplomacy as the cornerstone of China-US relations, urging both countries to enhance communication, promote cooperation, manage differences effectively, and honor each other’s fundamental interests.

This conversation occurred just a week before the anticipated visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States. President Donald Trump had previously announced plans to meet with Xi on September 24. Although the official Chinese statement did not explicitly confirm this meeting, it noted that Wang and Rubio engaged in detailed discussions centered on high-level exchanges between the two countries.

In addition to bilateral ties, the diplomats addressed developments in the Middle East. This followed Wang’s meeting on Wednesday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Beijing. During that meeting, Wang urged both Iran and the US to act rationally and exercise restraint, encouraging a return to the interim peace agreement signed in June and advocating for substantive consultations. He also called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to ensure regional stability.