Rubio reassures Asia on US commitment amid China tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Southeast Asian foreign ministers in Manila, aiming to reassure the region of Washington's commitment amid growing concerns about shifting U.S. focus and rising geopolitical tensions. Rubio stressed that partnerships with Asian countries are crucial to U.S. national interests.

On the sidelines of the ASEAN gathering, Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Their discussions were expected to include preparations for a potential summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Wang Yi told Rubio that Washington must respect Beijing’s “core interests,” adhere to the one-China principle and manage bilateral disputes. He added that the two countries should follow the course set by their presidents and translate their consensus into coordinated action.

The meetings occurred against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic tension between China and the Philippines concerning the South China Sea. Rubio had previously highlighted the "new and coercive threats" faced by Southeast Asian nations and reiterated the U.S. commitment to maritime rights and freedom of navigation in the disputed waters.

Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, a claim that infringes upon the exclusive economic zones of several ASEAN nations. Wang Yi was also scheduled to meet with Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, with China accusing "external forces" of deliberately creating maritime incidents. Analysts suggested the Rubio-Wang meeting would focus on advancing the U.S.-China relationship ahead of the anticipated leaders' summit.