Chinese FM says call with Rubio was 'positive,' discuss potential trilateral agreement with Russia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed on the importance of leader-level talks to advance peace and denuclearization, including at a potential trilateral summit with Russia, the State Department said. The call also covered Trump's travel to the APEC summit and Xi's visit to Florida for the G20.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a call on Wednesday in which they agreed on the importance of leader-level conversations to advance peace and denuclearization, including at any potential trilateral leaders meeting with Russia, according to the US State Department. The call also covered President Donald Trump's upcoming travel to the APEC summit in China next week and Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Florida for the G20 summit next month. The State Department said the two recalled the leaders' commitment to a constructive relationship based on respect, fairness, and reciprocity. China's state news agency Xinhua described the call as positive and constructive, with Wang expressing willingness to strengthen communication and cooperation with Washington. Trump said on Sunday he thought he would meet Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Shenzhen to discuss ending the war in Iran and denuclearization. The article notes that Trump has previously expressed openness to three-way arms control talks, though China has appeared less keen. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Putin has pitched using a trilateral meeting to discuss an end to Russia's war in Ukraine.