Wang Yi and Rubio Seek to Advance US-China Talks in Manila

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met for 90 minutes in Manila on Wednesday, July 22, on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, seeking to build on momentum from the recent US-China leaders’ summit in Beijing and lay groundwork for a potential visit to the United States by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September.

Both sides described the talks as “pragmatic, positive, and constructive,” according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, agreeing to advance high-level exchanges and implement consensus reached between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.

Context: A “Big Year” for US-China Relations

Wang Yi characterized 2026 as a “big year” for bilateral ties, noting that the two heads of state had established a “constructive strategic stable relationship” during their Beijing summit. “Now our responsibility is to follow the course set by the two heads of state, eliminate interference, overcome obstacles, and ensure that the consensus of the leaders is translated into coordinated action across governments and fields,” Wang said, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

Rubio, who was once among the most hawkish voices on China in Washington, struck a notably conciliatory tone. “Look, these are the two most powerful countries in the world. Frankly speaking, if there is no relationship between the United States and China, that would be reckless and irresponsible,” he said, according to Phoenix News.

Xi’s Potential US Visit as Central Focus

A key topic of discussion was laying the groundwork for Xi Jinping’s potential visit to the United States in September. Rubio confirmed that he and Wang discussed the visit at length, describing it as a “very positive visit” in the making, according to Al-Monitor/Reuters. The visit would mark a significant diplomatic milestone if realized, following the recent Beijing summit between Trump and Xi.

South China Sea Tensions Cast a Shadow

The meeting took place just one day after a clash between Chinese coast guard and Philippine navy personnel at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), where a Filipino soldier was reportedly struck in the head. The incident led both countries to summon each other’s ambassadors. Wang Yi demanded that the US “respect China’s core interests” and adhere to the one-China principle, while also addressing recent “negative remarks and actions by the U.S. side,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry reported.

Rubio had published an opinion piece in Philippine media on Tuesday warning of “dire new threats” if the South China Sea were to “fall under the control of a power willing to use commerce as a geopolitical weapon,” as reported by Rappler. However, during the actual meeting, he notably did not raise President Trump’s allegations of Chinese interference in the 2020 U.S. election — claims Beijing has dismissed as baseless.

Iran Conflict and Broader Geopolitical Landscape

The ASEAN meetings unfolded against the backdrop of an active US-Iran military conflict. Rubio blamed Iran for the crisis and stressed that Tehran could not be allowed to control the Strait of Hormuz. On this issue, he acknowledged areas of alignment with Beijing, noting that China had publicly opposed tolls on the strait and any restrictions on freedom of navigation.

Wang Yi also met with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo and participated in the China-ASEAN foreign ministers meeting, where he urged the region to “be the anchor for regional and global peace and development.” Separately, Rubio joined counterparts from India, Australia, and Japan for a Quad meeting — a grouping Beijing has criticized as “Cold War-like.”

Analysis: Managing Differences While Building Momentum

The Wang-Rubio meeting illustrates the delicate balancing act both sides are performing. While the tone was notably constructive, significant substantive differences remain over the South China Sea, Taiwan, technology competition, and human rights. The potential Xi visit to Washington serves as both an incentive for cooperation and a point of leverage.

Rubio’s evolution from Senate China hawk to a diplomat emphasizing the necessity of dialogue reflects the Trump administration’s broader approach of seeking a spheres-of-influence understanding with Beijing. Whether this approach can deliver concrete outcomes — or whether underlying tensions will resurface — remains an open question.

What to Watch For

All eyes are now on whether Xi Jinping’s September visit to the United States materializes and what it might produce. Meanwhile, Rubio was scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on July 23 to discuss the Ukraine war, while Wang Yi was expected to travel to Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization foreign ministers meeting. The diplomatic calendar remains dense, and the window for US-China rapprochement — while promising — remains fragile.