Sawt Falasteen - Rubio says at ASEAN meeting he expects 'positive' US visit by China's Xi

The visit has yet to be officially confirmed, but Rubio made it clear the White House expected it to happen as he emerged from a meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders.

"I think President Xi will have a very positive visit when (he) comes to Washington," Rubio told reporters in Manila, saying he and Wang had spoken at length, laying the groundwork for a fruitful trip.

While acknowledging the two countries had "significant differences", Rubio said they would "have to work through those".

"I think these differences will exist for the foreseeable future, and our job is to sort of manage those so that they never get out of control," he said.

Rubio and Wang's meeting on Wednesday came just days after the United States condemned Beijing's actions in the disputed South China Sea, and followed President Donald Trump's recent accusations of Chinese interference in US elections.

Trump denounced last week "shocking vulnerabilities" in the US electoral system and specifically pointed a finger at China, which he accused of hacking data in the 2020 election.

Beijing has categorically denied the allegations.

Rubio told reporters in Manila on Wednesday the two envoys "had not discussed it".

China's foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday evening that Wang urged the United States to "respect China's core interests" and "effectively manage differences..., letting this year of opportunity for China-US relations become a reality".

Wang also "articulated China's solemn position regarding a series of negative words and actions by the US side", the statement said, without referring to specific issues.

Xi's visit to the United States would follow a trip to Beijing in May by Trump, who has boasted about his good relationship with Xi despite the two countries' geopolitical rivalry.

- Maritime disputes -

Rubio and Wang are both in Manila for a meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The United States and its allies condemned on Tuesday China's "dangerous" behaviour after a clash the previous day between Chinese and Philippine sailors in the disputed South China Sea, a crucial route for global trade.

The Philippine military accused the Chinese coast guard of wounding one of its sailors near a disputed islet -- a version of events strongly rejected by Beijing.

During a meeting Wednesday between Wang and Philippine counterpart Theresa Lazaro, China's top diplomat noted "persistent difficulties and challenges in recent years" facing relations, according to a statement by Beijing's foreign ministry.

"The Philippines has acted in a manner contrary to other regional nations, becoming a source of disruption to regional peace and stability," Wang told Lozaro, adding that ties between the countries "currently stand at a crossroads".

A statement by Manila's foreign ministry said Lazaro "reiterated the Philippines' strong protest over the violent actions committed by China Coast Guard personnel", referring to the clash at the disputed shoal this week.

"The two sides underscored the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region, reducing the risk of miscalculation, and sustaining dialogue on matters of mutual concern," the statement read.

Maritime security has loomed over the summit in Manila this week, with Rubio writing in an opinion piece in Philippine media on Tuesday that Washington is committed "to freedom of navigation in Southeast Asia", while reaffirming the US defensive umbrella in the region.

He echoed that on Wednesday in remarks to ASEAN ministers and at various meetings, including with fellow Quad countries India, Japan and Australia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Moscow that he would meet Rubio in Manila on Thursday.

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N.Shalabi--SF-PST