Wang Yi Cautions US on Taiwan in Rubio Call

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the United States to preserve stability in bilateral relations during a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, while cautioning that the Taiwan issue represents the largest risk to ties between the two nations. The conversation occurred weeks ahead of a planned mid-May summit in Beijing between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to a readout from China's Foreign Ministry, Wang emphasized that relations have remained generally stable under the leadership of Xi and Trump. He called on both sides to safeguard this hard-won stability, prepare thoroughly for upcoming high-level engagements, expand areas of cooperation, and properly manage differences. "Both sides should safeguard the hard-won stability, prepare well for key high-level interactions, expand areas of cooperation and manage their differences," Wang told Rubio.

Wang highlighted Taiwan as concerning China's core interests and serving as the biggest risk point in China-U.S. relations. Beijing regards the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has repeatedly criticized U.S. military assistance to Taipei. "The United...