Chinese leader Xi Jinping told Asia-Pacific leaders on Friday that his country would help to defend global free trade at an annual economic regional forum snubbed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the importance of 'high-level exchanges' with Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, suggesting a possible meeting between China's President Xi Jinping and Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the upcoming APEC summit.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shook hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the handover ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) chairmanship on Saturday. China will chair the Apec Summit in 2026.

The face-to-face talks, their first since Trump’s return to office, come on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in South Korea on Thursday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and hold talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump on high-profile issues ranging from tariffs to security.