From July 3 to 5, the 2025 ASEAN-China (Qingdao) Event of Economic and Trade Cooperation and People-to-People Exchanges took place at Qingdao Haitian Center under the theme "Blue Partnership for a Shared Future.

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 has been a fierce critic of sweeping U.S. tariffs that Trump announced on April 2. He later delayed the implementation of most but China, which has said it will respond with its own tariffs on U.S. imports, now faces a deadline next month to negotiate a deal.

The two major powers vied to push their agendas in Asia at a time of simmering tension over a U.S. trade tariffs offensive.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi had a "positive" meeting in Malaysia on Friday, both sides said, in an apparent bid to ease tensions between the rival powers.

US President Trump’s tariffs loom over gathering in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur which will also feature US-Russia talks.

Move will have little impact on Taiwan's defense contractors, which mainly rely on friendly countries for components.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and China Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended separate meetings with their ASEAN counterparts in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (Jul 10).

China and ASEAN have agreed to submit an upgraded free trade deal to their leaders for approval this October. The announcement came from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a press briefing in Kuala Lumpur.

China has committed to signing the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty "as soon as possible" without reservation, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.