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.

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

The meeting takes place on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian summit, where Washington and Beijing are each attempting to exert their influence.