Rubio to Meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on ASEAN Sidelines in Kuala Lumpur

By Voice of Malaysia News Desk | July 11, 2025

KUALA LUMPUR – United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to hold a high-level bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ongoing ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, according to the official schedule released by the U.S. State Department.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 3:00 PM local time (07:00 GMT) on Friday and marks a significant diplomatic engagement between the world’s two largest economies amid growing regional and global tensions.

“Secretary Rubio meets with China Director of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” the schedule confirmed.

This anticipated encounter is expected to cover a wide range of strategic and regional issues, including tensions in the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait developments, global trade dynamics, and efforts to stabilize the broader Asia-Pacific security environment.

Diplomatic observers see the meeting as an opportunity for both Washington and Beijing to reaffirm dialogue and avoid escalation, especially as both powers engage actively with ASEAN member states during the regional forum.

Rubio’s trip to Malaysia marks his first visit to Asia since assuming office earlier this year, and it comes at a time of renewed U.S. focus on strengthening partnerships in Southeast Asia.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also attending ASEAN-related meetings as part of China’s continued push to deepen ties in the region and counterbalance U.S. influence.

The outcome of the bilateral talks could have a significant bearing on the tone of U.S.-China relations in the second half of 2025.

Further updates from the meeting are expected to be released following the closed-door session.