U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday he had "positive and constructive" talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as the two major powers vied to push their agendas in Asia at a time of tension over Washington's tariff offensive.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister 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 Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there were “areas of potential cooperation” between Washington and Beijing and stressed the importance of managing differences following his first in-person meeting with his Chinese counterpart as he wrapped up a two-day regional security forum in Malaysia.