In a sudden burst of high-level engagement, China and the US saw their defence chiefs and top diplomats hold back-to-back talks this week, as anticipation builds over a possible meeting between President Xi Jinping and US counterpart Donald Trump.

The US State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday, just hours after US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth held a video call with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun - their first direct talks since taking office.

“Secretary Rubio emphasised the importance of open and constructive communication on a range of bilateral issues,” State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.

“The odds are high,” Rubio said then about the possibility of a Xi-Trump summit. “I think both sides want to see it happen,” he noted, without providing a timeline.