China and the US are stepping up contacts before an expected meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. Trade, the Middle East and wider strategic tensions are set to shape the summit.

The call came a week ahead of an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the US, with a meeting with President Donald Trump set to take place on Sep 24, Trump had said.

The call came a week ahead of an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the US, with a meeting with President Donald Trump set to take place on Sep 24, Trump had said.

Wang Yi and Marco Rubio spoke ahead of an expected Xi-Trump summit in Washington. The call signalled fresh efforts to steady China-US ties and prepare major leader-level exchanges.