The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, taking place from July 21 to 23 in Manila, Philippines, will see the attendance of top diplomats from the United States, China, and Russia, raising interest in the potential for high-level talks between the US and China, as well as the US and Russia.
On July 20, the US State Department reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed a willingness to meet with Wang Yi, head of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Foreign Affairs Office and Foreign Minister, as well as with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Rubio stated, "There will inevitably be differences of opinion between great powers like the US and China," but emphasized the importance of maintaining communication and relationships among significant nations. However, he noted that a meeting with Wang has not yet been confirmed, and he would not disclose the agenda for any discussions.
China has also confirmed Wang's attendance at the meeting but has not verified whether he will meet with Rubio. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, "We will announce relevant circumstances at an appropriate time."
The meeting is expected to focus on regional security issues, including the South China Sea, the situation in the Middle East, and the civil war in Myanmar. Notably, amid escalating territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the foreign ministers of China and the Philippines are set to meet for the first time in nearly two years, drawing attention to the potential for improved relations between the two countries.
ASEAN member states are also expected to discuss energy supply concerns stemming from the prolonged conflicts in the Middle East and exchange views with the US on its stance toward China. Additionally, discussions will cover the progress of negotiations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea and potential solutions to the Myanmar civil war.
During the meeting, Rubio will also participate in a Quad foreign ministers' meeting and hold talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. On July 22, he plans to convene a trilateral meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula and economic security cooperation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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