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Rubio, Wang Yi manage US-China great power rivalry in Munich even as core tensions linger

Top diplomats clash over Taiwan and 'exclusive circles' while pledging cooperation.

Deep Dive

At the Munich Security Conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered back-to-back speeches aimed at managing superpower tensions. While both spoke of carefully managing differences, Wang accused some in the US of trying to 'split Taiwan from China,' calling it a major red line. The exchange continues a relative thaw expected to see President Donald Trump travel to Beijing in April.

Why It Matters

The delicate diplomacy sets the stage for a high-stakes Trump-Xi meeting, with Taiwan remaining the most volatile flashpoint.