US, China top diplomats visiting Manila discuss Chinese President's visit to US

MANILA — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed preparations for Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to the United States in September during talks on Wednesday, held on the sidelines of an ASEAN gathering in Manila.

Rubio said he and Wang agreed on the need to lay the groundwork for what he described as a "very positive visit" by Xi. He said both sides acknowledged the importance of managing differences between Washington and Beijing to prevent tensions from escalating.

According to China's foreign ministry, Wang urged the United States to respect China's core interests, effectively manage disagreements, and address Beijing's legitimate concerns. The ministry described the meeting as "pragmatic, positive, and constructive" and said both officials agreed to prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges.

The discussions took place as foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Manila amid heightened concerns over the conflict involving Iran and renewed tensions in the South China Sea.

Speaking after meeting with ASEAN ministers, Rubio blamed Iran for the lack of progress in negotiations over its nuclear program.

"The problem we're having right now is that they're not serious about talks," Rubio said. "If they're serious, we're serious. If they're not, then we will do what's necessary to protect our interests, and also the interests of our allies."

He also stressed that Iran must not be allowed to control the Strait of Hormuz, warning that doing so could create a dangerous precedent for other strategically important waterways.

South China Sea tensions

Rubio's remarks followed an opinion article published in Philippine media on Tuesday, in which he criticized China's actions in the South China Sea and warned of the risks if the vital waterway fell under the control of a power willing to use commerce as a geopolitical weapon.

China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The competing claims have fueled years of territorial disputes across the region.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong described Monday's confrontation between the Chinese coast guard and Philippine Navy personnel as risky and destabilizing.

"The countries of the region have a choice to make about how we all respond to that," Wong told reporters.

China rejected Australia's comments, with foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian saying Canberra had no right to intervene in South China Sea affairs and urging countries to stop "stirring up tension and inciting confrontation."

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand also expressed concern over the maritime dispute, describing the situation as troubling. She said a negotiated solution to the Middle East conflict remained essential, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation through critical waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Tensions between the Philippines and China have intensified in recent years as Manila has taken a firmer stance in asserting its maritime claims while strengthening defense cooperation with treaty ally the United States, as well as Australia and Japan.

The U.S. State Department announced that Washington would increase foreign military financing for the Philippines to $100 million for fiscal year 2026. It will also provide an additional $9 million to expand a Philippine Coast Guard pier in Palawan to strengthen maritime law enforcement and sustain operations in the South China Sea.

The United States also pledged to expand law enforcement cooperation with ASEAN countries in combating cybercrime, online scams, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Washington said it would resume a military training program for Cambodian officers, previously suspended over concerns about political repression, and extend similar training opportunities to officers from Brunei.

Rubio to meet Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed he would meet Rubio in Manila on Thursday to discuss the war in Ukraine. Rubio said the United States hoped to play a constructive role in efforts to end the conflict.

Rubio also met with his counterparts from India, Australia, and Japan as part of the Quad grouping, which China has criticized as a Cold War-style alliance.

His approximately 90-minute meeting with Wang came as the world's two largest economies continue to navigate a fragile truce in their relationship. Rubio said the two discussed trade, Taiwan, and areas for potential cooperation ahead of Xi's expected visit to Washington.

China's foreign ministry said Wang reiterated Beijing's position on what it called recent negative statements and actions by the United States and urged Washington to adhere to the One China principle. -Reporting by Michael Martina, Karen Lema, Nestor Corrales, Mikhail Flores in Manila; Additional reporting by Liz Lee, Eduardo Baptista and Shi Bu in Beijing and Simon Lewis in Washington; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Alison Williams, Toby Chopra, Rod Nickel/Reuters