In a strategic phone call on Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to reset the tone in the world's most consequential bilateral relationship. As Wang Yi stressed, "A healthy, stable, and sustainable relationship between the two nations benefits long-term interests and meets international expectations."
The discussion comes amid fresh setbacks in China-U.S. economic and trade ties. Wang Yi, who also serves on the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that during recent Kuala Lumpur economic and trade talks both sides managed to clarify positions, deepen mutual understanding, and reach a framework consensus on urgent trade issues.
By invoking the "essential consensus" between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump – what Wang Yi described as one of the most valuable strategic assets – he underscored the power of dialogue over coercion. "If both sides fully implement this consensus, uphold equality, respect, and mutual benefit, we can stabilize and strengthen bilateral ties," he added.
Rubio echoed this optimism, calling U.S.-China relations "the world's most important bilateral relationship." He noted that high-level meetings send a positive message to the global community and lay the groundwork for future cooperation.
With both capitals gearing up for follow-up high-level talks, observers hope that this renewed dialogue will translate into concrete actions – paving the way for smoother trade flows, coordinated policy responses, and a more predictable global economic landscape.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
