U.S., China top diplomats lay groundwork for Sept. summit

President Donald Trump, who agreed with Xi in Beijing in May to stabilize bilateral relations, has invited the Chinese president to visit the White House on Sept. 24.

Despite intense geopolitical rivalry and disputes on numerous issues between the world's two largest economies, there are areas of potential cooperation, Rubio said, adding that he and Wang discussed the need to "identify what those areas are."

As an example of cooperation, the United States and China will hold talks over artificial intelligence in September, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent leading the U.S. delegation, Reuters reported Tuesday.

Wang urged Washington to respect Beijing's core interests and uphold the policy of recognizing the Communist-led mainland as the sole legal government of China, with Taiwan included as part of it, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Both sides shared the view that the meeting was pragmatic, positive and constructive. They agreed to promote a "constructive relationship of strategic stability" and make preparations for the upcoming China-U.S. high-level exchanges, the ministry added.

The meeting, the first in person between Rubio and Wang since they met in Germany in February, took place as both visited the Philippine capital for meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Asked about worsening Sino-Japanese relations over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan, Rubio said Washington views the situation "with concern."

There is "a troubling trend" between the two Asian neighbors amid a diplomatic row, with Japan facing "real restrictions and export controls." He added he talked with Wang about "some of the aggressive measures that have been taken."

Angered by Takaichi's remarks last November suggesting that a Chinese attack on Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island claimed by Beijing, could prompt a response by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, Beijing has increased economic pressure on Tokyo, including curbs on rare earth shipments to Japan.

Asked about China's recent dispatch of vessels to waters near Taiwan for patrols, Rubio said the United States "obviously disagrees with those actions," arguing that they "run contrary to the spirit of what we're trying to work out with them with regards to strategic stability."

But he underlined the importance of managing differences through dialogue, saying a conflict between the United States and China would have "a dramatic global impact."

"It would frankly be reckless and irresponsible" for the two powerful nations not to have a relationship, given the impact they have on the global economy and on the world, Rubio added.

The secretary also said he did not discuss with Wang Trump's claim that China meddled in past U.S. elections. Beijing has rejected the allegation, calling it "a false allegation and serious smear that has long been proved to be unfounded."

In an apparent bid to arrange the upcoming summit, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu will meet with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in Washington later Wednesday, according to the State Department.

The two top diplomats' talks were also held after the United States condemned China's "dangerous and aggressive actions" against Philippine Navy personnel at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on Monday.

Beijing and Manila have traded barbs over the encounter between the Philippine Navy and the China Coast Guard near the Manila-controlled, Beijing-claimed Second Thomas Shoal, in which a Filipino serviceman was injured.

Rubio said the incident was "a sort of an escalatory thing that we think is very negative" and "benefits no one." Noting that Washington is obliged to defend the Philippines under a bilateral security treaty, he said, "We intend to live up to our treaty obligations, and I think we've done so, and we'll continue to do so."