(MENAFN) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held their first-ever in-person meeting on Friday during a regional summit of Southeast Asian leaders in Malaysia, according to state-run media.

The two top diplomats, who have not met face-to-face until now, are expected to address a range of global issues that have long strained relations between Washington and Beijing. Among the key topics on the agenda are trade tariffs, technological restrictions, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the contentious Taiwan issue, and the South China Sea dispute.

This marks the first direct encounter between Wang Yi and Marco Rubio since the latter took office as Secretary of State earlier this year in January. Prior to this, the two diplomats had only communicated once through a brief phone call earlier in January.

The meeting carries significant weight, given the current geopolitical climate and the ever-growing tensions between the two global powers. Media reported that both sides are keen on finding common ground while navigating these complex issues that have global ramifications.

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