The two major powers vied to push their agendas in Asia at a time of simmering tension over a U.S. trade tariffs offensive.

Washington's top diplomat arrived in Malaysia on Thursday in his first trip to Asia since taking office, where he joined foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur and met with senior Malaysian officials and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.

U.S. 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.