After Xi’s G20 absence, China says it is willing to play a role in APEC’s success.

After President Xi Jinping skipped the yearly Group of 20 meeting in India, China’s top diplomat said on Tuesday that the country is ready to contribute in a “constructive” way to the success of the APEC summit in San Francisco.

“China is willing to comply with the expectations of the international community and play a constructive role in the success of APEC this year,” said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. “China is the world’s largest developing country and an important member of APEC.”

Without providing an official justification, Xi skipped this month’s G20 conference in New Delhi, sending Chinese Premier Li Qiang in his stead. As a result, the United States claimed that China was “giving up” on the G20 and creating a new international system.

During a press conference, Wang was asked if Xi would attend APEC. “Of course, we and all parties hope that the United States will recognise its responsibility as the host, demonstrate openness, fairness, inclusiveness, and responsibility, and create better conditions for the smooth holding of the meeting,” Wang responded.

According to Wang, China is in contact with the necessary parties and will announce when appropriate.

Despite tensions between the two giants, particularly in Taiwan, communication between China and the United States has steadily resumed. After passing up the opportunity for a face-to-face meeting at the G20 in India, speculation is growing that Xi and Biden may meet on the sidelines of APEC.

Wang stated at the same press conference that China opposed “wanton” military alliance growth that would encroach on other nations’ security space without mentioning any specific nation.

Washington’s ongoing efforts to strengthen military ties in the Asia-Pacific area have drawn criticism from Beijing. It has expressed disapproval of facilities that the United States military is constructing in the Philippines’ northern region, which faces democratically-run Taiwan, which China asserts is part of its territory.

China has historically favored collaboration over alliances and does not belong to any military hegemony. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, North Korea was the only ally left, and China was obligated under a 1961 pact to defend North Korea if it was attacked.