U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held high-level talks on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference as both powers seek to manage an increasingly complex strategic rivalry amid ongoing friction over trade, technology, Taiwan and global influence.

The meeting, described by a U.S. official as “positive and constructive,” reflected an effort by Washington and Beijing to sustain open channels of communication and reduce the risk of miscalculation even as core disagreements remain unresolved.

Wang Yi used the opportunity to call for a policy from Washington that avoids abrupt decoupling and emphasised the benefits of “positive and pragmatic” engagement, asserting that cooperation was preferable to confrontation as the best way to serve the interests of both countries and the wider world.

He reiterated Beijing’s view that dialogue should be grounded in mutual respect, urging that the relationship stay on a “stable, healthy and sustainable track.”

Rubio, speaking at the conference, underscored the United States’ commitment to allies and partners, while maintaining firm positions on key strategic priorities.

Though his wider speech focused heavily on relations with European allies, Rubio’s remarks in bilateral exchanges with Wang signalled a desire to manage tensions constructively ahead of anticipated high-level interactions later this year, including a planned visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to Beijing in April.

Despite these efforts at engagement, underlying disputes persist.

Trade tensions, including disputes over tariffs and market practices, continue to affect economic relations, and divergent positions on Taiwan remain a profound point of contention.

Both sides acknowledged the complexity of these issues, with Rubio indicating that managing differences was essential to preventing escalation.

Observers noted that while the tone of the Munich engagement was more cooperative than confrontational, the substance of U.S.–China relations remains characterised by strategic competition.

Both Washington and Beijing emphasised the importance of avoiding misunderstanding and expanding areas of potential cooperation, yet neither side downplayed the significance of their broader geopolitical rivalry.

The meeting in Munich thus underscored an enduring commitment to dialogue while highlighting the persistent challenges that will shape bilateral relations going forward.