Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of a regional gathering in Manila led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

The meeting on Wednesday is expected to set the stage for a visit by President Xi Jinping to the United States in September.

Trump was on a visit to China in May that helped reset bilateral ties.

In a phone conversation with Rubio earlier this month, Wang stressed the need for Beijing and Washington to stay on course towards a constructive relationship of strategic stability, and uphold the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit.

Renewed Middle East hostilities and regional tensions were among the topics discussed at the broader Asean meeting.

The foreign minister said openness and inclusiveness are vital for prosperity.

Wang told his Asean counterparts that ties between people of the region and China are improving, and noted greater consensus on trade and issues of mutual benefit.

"China will continue to act with Asean on the principle of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, to carry out even closer cooperation for the benefit of the people in this region and to respond to emerging challenges and uncertainties with greater solidarity. Together, let us be the anchor for regional and global peace and development," he said.

On Iran, Rubio said Tehran's demand to control and collect tolls in the Strait of Hormuz would threaten the world’s economy and the principle of freedom of navigation.

He also said Washington remains open to diplomacy to try to resolve the crisis. (Agencies)


Edited by Edmond Fong