---
title: "China's Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Rubio discuss high-level talks"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/chinas-wang-yi-and-us-secretary-of-state-rubio-discuss-high-level-talks"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/chinas-wang-yi-and-us-secretary-of-state-rubio-discuss-high-level-talks"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/chinas-wang-yi-and-us-secretary-of-state-rubio-discuss-high-level-talks.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/chinas-wang-yi-and-us-secretary-of-state-rubio-discuss-high-level-talks"
category: "Politics"
area: "China"
published: "2026-09-17T16:25:13.174Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-17T16:03:02.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-17T16:25:13.174Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 57
hype_score: 20
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-17T16:15:19.486146+00:00"
---

# China's Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Rubio discuss high-level talks

*The two diplomats spoke by phone a week before an expected meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claims attributed to Beijing and Wang's ministry, with one full report and multiple digests.
- Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. Most outlets are digests, limiting the depth of reporting and analysis.
- Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. Language is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism or manufactured urgency.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
- Wang Yi stated that China and the US should prepare for future high-level interactions with equality, respect, and reciprocity.
- The call occurred one week before an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S. for a meeting with President Donald Trump.
- The two diplomats also discussed the situation in West Asia.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Wang Yi told Rubio that the two countries should prepare for the next stage of high-level interactions in a spirit of equality, respect, and reciprocity. According to Wang Yi, head-of-state diplomacy serves as the anchor of China-U.S. ties. The conversation took place a week before an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S. for a meeting with President Donald Trump. The two diplomats also discussed the situation in West Asia.

## Coverage disagreements

The Korea Times, The Hindu, and Al-Monitor report that Wang Yi said the two sides should strengthen communication, advance cooperation, manage differences, and respect each other’s core interests. The digests from 15min.lt, Gazeta Shqiptare Online, www.ertnews.gr, Naftemporiki, rthk.hk, PressNews Agency, Business Daily, Cryptocurrency News, Crypto Briefing, WTVB, The Straits Times, i-cable.com, and Terra do not include this detail.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated digests mention that the call occurred a week before an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S. for a meeting with President Donald Trump. The centre-rated digests do not mention Wang Yi's statement that head-of-state diplomacy serves as the anchor of China-U.S. ties. None of the right-rated digests mention Wang Yi's statement that China and the US should prepare for the next stage of high-level interactions in a spirit of equality, respect, and reciprocity.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 11 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 36% (4)
- Centre: 37% (4)
- Right: 27% (3)

9 of 20 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-17T16:15:19.486146+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-17T16:30:23.554Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports led on the call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Hindu, in its full report, stated that Wang Yi said the two countries should prepare for the next stage of high-level interactions in the spirit of equality, respect, and reciprocity. The Hindu also reported that Wang Yi added that head-of-state diplomacy serves as the anchor of China-U.S. ties and that the two sides should strengthen communication, advance cooperation, manage differences, and respect each other’s core interests. The Korea Times and Al-Monitor digests also included these points. The left-rated reports mentioned the call occurred a week before an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S. for a meeting with President Donald Trump. The situation in West Asia was also noted as a topic of discussion.

### Centre

- The centre-rated reports focused on the phone call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, occurring days before the leaders' meeting. 15min.lt reported that the call took place days before the two countries' leaders were scheduled to meet. WTVB and South China Morning Post digests noted the call between the top diplomats and the upcoming meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. The South China Morning Post digest also mentioned that the two diplomats held an in-depth discussion on 'high-level exchanges' between the two countries.

### Right

- The right-rated reports highlighted that China and the US are stepping up contacts ahead of an expected meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. India Today's digest stated that trade, the Middle East, and wider strategic tensions are set to shape the summit. News-pravda.com's digest reported that contacts between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump should remain the main guideline in China-US relations and that Beijing and Washington need to prepare for a new round of high-level dialogue. The Straits Times digest mentioned discussions on high-level interactions, cooperation, and managing differences ahead of an expected Xi-Trump meeting.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 2
- high: 4
- unknown: 9
- veryHigh: 4

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [15min.lt](https://15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/pasaulis/jav-ir-kinijos-diplomatijos-vadovai-pries-lyderiu-susitikima-kalbejosi-telefonu-57-2766370) — US and Chinese Diplomats Spoke by Phone Before Leaders' Meeting
- [The Korea Times](https://koreatimes.co.kr/world/20260918/china-us-top-diplomats-discuss-high-level-interactions-in-call-beijing-says) — China, US top diplomats discuss 'high-level interactions' in call, Beijing says
- [The Hindu](https://thehindu.com/news/international/china-us-top-diplomats-discuss-high-level-interactions-in-call-beijing-says/article71477570.ece) — China, U.S. top diplomats discuss ‘high-level interactions’ in call, Beijing says
- [Gazeta Shqiptare Online](https://gazetashqiptare.al/2026/09/17/ministri-i-jashtem-i-kines-dhe-marco-rubio-bisede-telefonike-para-takimit-xi-trump-te-forcojme-komunikimin-dhe-bashkepunimin) — Chinese Foreign Minister and Marco Rubio Talk on the Phone Before Xi-Trump Meeting: Let's Strengthen Communication and Cooperation
- [www.ertnews.gr](https://ertnews.gr/eidiseis/diethni/diplomatikes-epafes-kinas-ipa-enopsei-tis-episkepsis-tou-proedrou-si-stin-ouasigkton) — China-US Diplomatic Contacts Ahead of President Xi's Visit to Washington
- [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/kosmos/2163011/tilefoniki-epikoinonia-ton-ypex-kinas-kai-ipa-prin-apo-ti-synantisi-si-tramp) — Telephone Conversation Between Chinese and US Foreign Ministers Before Xi Meeting
- [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/world/story/china-us-prepare-for-next-stage-of-high-level-talks-ahead-of-xi-trump-summit-2997109-2026-09-17) — China, US prepare for next stage of high-level talks ahead of Xi-Trump summit
- [rthk.hk](https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1870509-20260917.htm) — Wang, Rubio hold phone conversation
- [PressNewsAgency](https://pressnewsagency.org/china-us-top-diplomats-discuss-high-level-interactions-in-call-beijing-says) — China, US top diplomats discuss ‘high-level interactions’ in call, Beijing says
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/china/china-us-top-diplomats-discuss-high-level-interactions-call-beijing-says-2026-09-17) — China, US top diplomats discuss 'high-level interactions' in call ...
- [Business Daily](https://businessdaily.gr/diethni/232672_tilefoniki-epikoinonia-ypex-kinas-ipa-prin-ti-synantisi-si-kai-mpainten) — Chinese-US Foreign Ministers Hold Phone Conversation Ahead of Xi's Visit to Washington
- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/russia/2026/09/17/2599298.html) — The contacts between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump should remain the main guideline in China-US relations, and Beijing and Washington need to prepare for a new round of high-level dialogue
- [Cryptocurrency News | Cryptocurrency Prices | Market Cap](https://cryptocurrency.com.tr/china-us-diplomats-discuss-high-level-interactions-amid-tensions-381213) — China, US diplomats discuss high-level interactions amid tensions
- [Crypto Briefing](https://cryptobriefing.com/china-us-diplomats-discuss-high-level-interactions-amid-tensions) — China, US diplomats discuss high-level interactions amid tensions
- [Al-Monitor](https://al-monitor.com/originals/2026/09/china-us-top-diplomats-discuss-high-level-interactions-call-beijing-says) — China, US top diplomats discuss 'high-level interactions' in call, Beijing says
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/09/17/china-us-top-diplomats-discuss-high-level-interactions-in-call-beijing-says) — China, US top diplomats discuss ‘high-level interactions’ in call, Beijing says
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-us-top-diplomats-discuss-high-level-interactions-in-call-beijing-says) — China, US diplomats discuss high-level interactions ahead of Xi-Trump meeting
- [i-cable.com](https://i-cable.com/%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E8%B3%87%E8%A8%8A/505006/%E7%8E%8B%E6%AF%85%E8%88%87%E9%AD%AF%E6%AF%94%E5%A5%A7%E9%80%9A%E9%9B%BB%E8%A9%B1-%E8%A8%8E%E8%AB%96%E5%85%A9%E5%9C%8B%E9%AB%98%E5%B1%A4%E4%BA%A4%E5%BE%80) — Wang Yi and Rubio Speak by Phone to Discuss High-Level Exchanges Between the Two Countries
- [South China Morning Post](https://scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3366812/chinas-wang-yi-holds-phone-call-rubio-days-xi-visits-us) — Breaking | China’s Wang Yi holds phone call with Rubio days before Xi visits US
- [Terra](https://terra.com.br/noticias/mundo/principais-diplomatas-de-china-e-eua-discutem-interacoes-de-alto-nivel-em-conversa-telefonica-diz-pequim,6ee39232d6653fa2f948b8ac3e4f93d2t3hn0893.html) — Main Diplomats From China and the U.S. Discuss "High-Level Interactions" in Phone Conversation, Says Beijing

## Questions

**When did Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speak by phone?**

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call on Thursday, September 17, 2026. This conversation took place a week before an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S. for a meeting with President Donald Trump.

**What did Wang Yi say about China-US relations?**

According to Wang Yi, China and the US should prepare for the next stage of high-level interactions in a spirit of equality, respect, and reciprocity. He also stated that head-of-state diplomacy serves as the anchor of China-U.S. ties.

**What other topics were discussed during the call?**

In addition to discussing preparations for future high-level interactions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also discussed the situation in West Asia during their phone call.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/chinas-wang-yi-and-us-secretary-of-state-rubio-discuss-high-level-talks. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "China's Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Rubio discuss high-level talks", https://mediabias.news/politics/chinas-wang-yi-and-us-secretary-of-state-rubio-discuss-high-level-talks