US and China Discuss Potential Trilateral Summit with Russia
Diplomatic efforts intensify ahead of APEC summit to address denuclearisation and regional conflicts.
1High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a call on November 11 to coordinate upcoming leader-level meetings. The discussion focused on President Donald Trump’s travel to the APEC summit in China and President Xi Jinping’s scheduled visit to Florida for the G20 summit next month.
2Trilateral Summit Ambitions
Rubio confirmed efforts are underway to arrange a trilateral meeting involving Trump, Xi, and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the APEC summit. Trump expressed interest in discussing the war in Iran and nuclear disarmament, while reports suggest Putin may seek to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
3Divergent Public Readouts
The US State Department emphasized the importance of leader-level talks regarding peace and denuclearisation, including potential trilateral cooperation with Russia. Conversely, China’s official readout through Xinhua omitted references to denuclearisation or Russia, focusing instead on the stability of bilateral relations and a mutual willingness to strengthen communication and cooperation.
4China’s Stance on Disarmament
Beijing remains resistant to three-way arms control negotiations. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated in October that its nuclear strength is not comparable to the US or Russia. Officials argued that demanding China join trilateral nuclear disarmament talks at this stage is neither fair, reasonable, nor realistic for the current geopolitical landscape.
5Stabilization Amid Strategic Rivalry
While Trump and Xi have met twice this year, these summits have only partially stabilized relations without resolving deep-seated disputes. Significant tensions persist regarding tariffs, Chinese purchases of US goods, rare earth exports, and technology restrictions. A two-month trade truce extension was agreed upon in September but remains a temporary measure.
6New Dialogue on Technology
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Washington and Beijing will initiate a new dialogue focused on artificial intelligence. Despite this cooperation, officials cautioned against illusions regarding their fundamental differences, as both nations continue to compete for supremacy while attempting to manage the inherent risks associated with advanced AI technologies.
7The Rational Choice Narrative
Wang Yi characterized the current state of China-US relations as a rational choice based on shared interests. He noted that the stability achieved has not come easily. This framing suggests that Beijing views continued engagement as a strategic necessity, even as both nations maintain their distinct and often conflicting national objectives.
8Future Diplomatic Outlook
The upcoming APEC summit in Shenzhen serves as a critical test for these diplomatic channels. Whether the proposed trilateral meeting materializes depends on reconciling China’s reluctance toward nuclear talks with US goals for regional security. Observers should monitor if these high-level conversations translate into concrete policy shifts beyond mere diplomatic rhetoric.
Original article: CNA – Asia — US and China Discuss Potential Trilateral Summit with Russia