China, U.S. top diplomats discuss ‘high-level interactions’ in call, Beijing says

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday (September 17, 2026) ​told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ‌in a phone call that the ​two countries “should prepare well for ⁠the next stage of high-level interactions in the spirit of equality, respect and reciprocity,” Mr. Wang’s ‌ministry said.

Head-of-state diplomacy serves as the anchor of China-U.S. ties, Mr. Wang ‌said, adding that the two ‌sides ⁠should strengthen communication, advance cooperation, manage ⁠differences and respect each other’s core interests.

The call came a week ahead of an expected ​visit by Chinese President ‌Xi Jinping to the U.S., with a meeting with President Donald Trump set to take place on September ‌24, Mr. Trump had said.