US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 12 November 2026 at China's request, covering President Donald Trump's upcoming trip to the APEC summit in China and President Xi Jinping's planned visit to Florida for the G20 Leaders' Summit, the State Department confirmed. The call signals an active diplomatic channel between Washington and Beijing ahead of two landmark multilateral gatherings.

What Was Discussed

According to the State Department's readout, Rubio and Wang 'recalled the bilateral leader-level commitment to a constructive relationship of strategic stability on the basis of respect, fairness, and reciprocity.' The two officials also 'agreed on the importance of meaningful leader-level conversations to advance goals such as peace and denuclearisation, including at any potential trilateral leaders' meeting with Russia.' The explicit reference to a possible trilateral meeting involving Russia marks a notable expansion of the diplomatic agenda on the table.

China's Account of the Call

China's Foreign Ministry posted its own readout of the conversation, describing it as 'positive and constructive.' According to the Chinese-language account, Wang Yi told Rubio that Xi's visit to the United States in September was 'smooth and successful,' and that the two leaders had agreed to enrich the substance of a 'new positioning' of China-US relations — offering 'clearer strategic guidance' for how the two countries should engage. The Ministry's text said the 'momentum of stability' in the relationship 'has not come easily' and is 'a rational choice' by two major powers acting on both their respective and shared interests.

Beijing's Stated Position

China's policy toward the United States 'maintains stability and continuity,' Wang reportedly said, adding that Beijing is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation, 'properly handle differences and sensitive issues,' and 'mutually support' the successful hosting of the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting and the G20 Leaders' Summit. The readout framed these commitments as part of a broader effort to 'promote the implementation of a constructive relationship of strategic stability' between Washington and Beijing.

Why This Call Matters

The Rubio–Wang exchange is the clearest signal yet that the two sides are actively coordinating the logistics and tone of back-to-back high-stakes summits. Trump's attendance at an APEC summit on Chinese soil — and Xi's reciprocal visit to Florida for the G20 — would represent the most substantive in-person engagement between the two heads of state in years. This comes amid an ongoing recalibration of US-China relations that began with Xi's US visit in September, suggesting both capitals see stability management as a near-term priority even as structural tensions over trade, technology, and Taiwan persist. Notably, the reference to a potential trilateral meeting with Russia adds a geopolitical layer that extends well beyond routine summit prep.

What to Watch Next

The confirmed dates and venue details for both the APEC and G20 gatherings are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks. Analysts will closely track whether the 'trilateral leaders' meeting' reference translates into a formal agenda item, and whether trade and technology flashpoints are addressed in any bilateral margins on the sidelines of either summit.