MANILA: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, as regional powers gathered to address growing security and geopolitical challenges.
The meeting came amid renewed tensions in the South China Sea, concerns over the Middle East conflict, and preparations for a possible summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. Both diplomats emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue despite ongoing strategic differences between Washington and Beijing.
The broader ASEAN gathering also included ministers from India, Japan, Australia, and other partner nations. Discussions focused on maritime security, regional stability, freedom of navigation, and strengthening cooperation across the Indo-Pacific. ASEAN members reiterated the need for peaceful dispute resolution while global leaders sought to ease rising tensions in the region.
