FRAGILE TRUCE
Their talks, which lasted about 90 minutes, came amid a fragile truce between the world’s biggest economies that could be complicated by President Donald Trump’s accusations of Chinese meddling in US elections, which Beijing has called „pure fabrication“.
Rubio said the allegations of election interference were not discussed with Wang.
Tense US-China relations have been more stable under a temporary trade accord reached by Trump and Xi in October. The two leaders met in May in Beijing, and China said Xi would make a state visit to the United States in the autumn.
Taiwan and trade issues with China were discussed, Rubio said, as well as the bilateral Board of Trade, adding that it was important both countries can talk irrespective of differences.
„It would frankly be reckless and irresponsible for the US and China not to have a relationship, given the impact our countries have on the global economy and on the world,“ he said.
In an opinion piece published by the Philippine media ahead of the meeting, Rubio criticised Beijing’s conduct in the South China Sea, saying regional US allies faced „new and coercive threats“.
Asked about Monday’s altercation between China’s coast guard and Philippine navy personnel, Rubio said it was an escalation that benefited no one, and Washington had reiterated in all its meetings that it was bound by its defence treaty to stand up for Manila.
„We intend to live up to our treaty obligations, and I think we’ve done so, and will continue to do so,“ he said.