Chinese foreign minister says ruling was ‘manipulated by external powers’, while embassy in Manila dismisses it as ‘political circus’.

KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday briefed reporters on his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Rubio here on Friday on the sidelines of the ASEAN Plus foreign ministers’ meetings.

Less than 24 hours after holding talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducted his first face-to-face meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the final day of the Asean Confrence.

China is willing to play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and de-escalation between Thailand and Cambodia over their recent border

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that against the backdrop of rampant unilateralism and protectionism, China and ASEAN countries are demonstrating a strong desire to support each other, unite and cooperate, and jointly meet challenges.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said China sees itself as a “force for peace” in the world, even as it pursues deeper ties with Russia despite Moscow’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the East Asia Summit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday emphasized the importance for all parties to use this milestone as an opportunity to enhance understanding, trust, maintain peace and stability, and promote development and prosperity.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized the US for imposing high tariffs on ASEAN countries based on a single letter, calling it a typical act of unilateral bullying that no country would support.