Washington’s account of a Nov. 11 call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi raised a possible trilateral leaders meeting with Russia, while Beijing’s summary left that out.
China’s Foreign Ministry described the conversation as “positive and constructive.” It said Wang wanted to strengthen communication and cooperation with the United States and manage differences. The ministry said the call covered bilateral relations and interactions between the countries’ leaders. The exchange follows Wang’s earlier message about stable ties and mutual summit support.
The U.S. Department of State said China requested the call. Its account presented a possible trilateral leaders meeting with Russia as one setting for leader-level dialogue aimed at peace and denuclearization. The readout also said the officials discussed President Donald Trump’s planned trip to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Florida for the Group of 20 summit. It said they recalled a commitment to a constructive relationship of strategic stability based on respect, fairness and reciprocity.
China’s summary did not mention Russia or denuclearization. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing was communicating with relevant parties about a meeting of the three leaders, but said he had no information to offer about its agenda. Neither government’s account said a meeting had been scheduled.
China has also resisted joining trilateral nuclear-disarmament negotiations. On Oct. 16, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China should not be asked to join such talks at this stage, citing the difference between its nuclear strength and that of the United States and Russia.
APEC lists its 2026 Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen for Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 18-19.
