US-China engagement ramps up ahead of April summit

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Munich as Beijing and Washington prepare for President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China in April.

According to state media Xinhua News Agency, Wang called for 2026 to be a year in which both countries advance toward mutual respect.

The two sides reportedly agreed to enhance dialogue and cooperation across multiple areas, aiming to support the stable development of bilateral relations. “As long as we uphold equality, mutual respect and reciprocity, we can find solutions to address each other’s concerns and properly manage our differences,” Wang said.

The meeting comes as preparations continue for the upcoming summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders spoke by phone last week, discussing trade issues and geopolitical flashpoints, including Taiwan.

Last week, senior U.S. officials visited China to coordinate on arrangements for “the next high-level meeting on US-China trade,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted on social media.

Increased engagement between the two sides has been closely watched by financial markets, helping boost the offshore Chinese yuan this month amid expectations of greater stability in bilateral relations.

By Tamilla Hasanova