▲ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (front right) and Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Chinese Communist Party Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and China's foreign minister (front left), hold talks in Manila, the Philippines, on the 22nd (local time). (Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on the 22nd (local time) that he "discussed extensively" with Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Chinese Communist Party Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and China's foreign minister, in Manila, the Philippines, regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to the United States in September.
Attending the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Secretary Rubio told reporters after meeting with Director Wang that he "believes President Xi will view a visit to Washington, D.C. very positively."
While acknowledging that differences remain between the two sides, he emphasized, "Our job is to manage these disagreements so they do not spin out of control."
He added that while the U.S. and China will each protect their national interests, "there are a few areas of potential cooperation." He explained that ahead of the September talks, they would identify such areas to lay the groundwork for a very positive visit to Washington, D.C.
Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that President Xi would visit the United States on September 24, though China has not yet officially confirmed the specific schedule for President Xi's visit.
Regarding recent allegations by President Trump that China interfered in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Secretary Rubio said he did not discuss the issue with Director Wang.
China has previously dismissed President Trump's allegations of election interference as "pure fabrication and malicious slander."
Secretary Rubio noted that they discussed trade issues with China and the U.S.-China Trade Commission, emphasizing the importance of the two countries being able to dialogue regardless of their differences.
Last May, President Trump and President Xi held a summit in China and agreed to establish the U.S.-China Trade and Investment Commission.
When asked whether China is providing the U.S. military's attack target information to Iran in the U.S.-Iran war, Secretary Rubio sidestepped a direct answer, stating only, "I will just say that nothing China has done thus far has in any way impacted the outcome of the armed conflict with Iran."
He continued, "On several issues, China has actually been quite cooperative," adding, "I think China is not very favorable either toward what Iran is attempting to do in the [Strait of] Hormuz."
He also added that China has publicly stated its opposition to any acts by Iran restricting toll collection or freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Prior to the bilateral foreign ministers' meeting with China, Secretary Rubio warned during a meeting with ASEAN foreign ministers earlier in the day, "If a precedent is set where a country in the Middle East controls international waterways, imposes tolls, and blows up ships that do not pay tolls, it will set a very dangerous precedent that will be repeated in this region and other parts of the world."
He stressed, "Iran is demanding control over transit rights in the Strait of Hormuz under no current legal mechanism that they possess. The foundational principle of freedom of navigation is under threat. We cannot let this happen."
Secretary Rubio stated, "The problem we are experiencing right now is that they [Iran] are not serious about talks. If they are serious, we will be serious. If they are not serious, we will take necessary measures to protect our interests and those of our allies."
He also mentioned that the United States has an "open mind" regarding diplomacy with Iran, saying, "The United States is willing to engage in positive and constructive negotiations and discussions if commitments are kept."
During the trilateral foreign ministers' meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimasa Motegi earlier that day, Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the principle of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and agreed to strengthen cooperation on North Korea.
He also met with foreign ministers from the Quad member nations—the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India—confirming steady progress in concrete cooperation to realize a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP).
Furthermore, a joint statement was released emphasizing the importance of maritime peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and strengthening cooperation with ASEAN.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov conveyed that Secretary Rubio is scheduled to hold talks with him on the morning of the 23rd, the final day of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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