Rubio-Wang talks | Secretary of State talks of ‘America first’, Taiwan independence; his counterpart stresses on cooperation

China's veteran foreign minister has issued a veiled warning to America’s new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio: Behave yourself. Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed the message during a phone call on Friday — their first discussion since Rubio’s confirmation as President Donald Trump’s top diplomat four days earlier.

“I hope you will act accordingly,” Wang told Rubio, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. The phrase, often used in Chinese to caution someone about their conduct, is akin to a teacher or boss advising a student or employee to behave responsibly.

The statement appeared to address Rubio's prior vocal criticism of China and its human rights record during his tenure as a US senator. In 2020, the Chinese government sanctioned Rubio twice in response to his remarks.

A  US statement on the call did not mention the phrase. Instead, it stated that Rubio emphasized advancing US interests in its relationship with China and expressed “serious concern over China’s coercive actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea”.

"Secretary Rubio emphasized that the Trump administration will pursue a US-China relationship that advances  US interests and puts the American people first," State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said to the Associated Press.

Wang Yi referenced a recent phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Trump, during which the two leaders reached a series of agreements. According to Wang, Xi outlined China’s policy toward the US, to which Trump responded positively, expressing a desire to maintain good relations with Xi and emphasizing that  US-China cooperation could address many global challenges.

Taiwan Issue On the Taiwan issue, Wang Yi urged the  US to handle the matter cautiously.

“Taiwan has been an integral part of China's territory since ancient times,” Wang said, stressing that China will never allow Taiwan to be separated from the motherland. He noted the US’s commitments to the one-China policy in the three China-U.S. joint communiqués and urged it to uphold those commitments. Rubio acknowledged the importance of US.-China relations, calling them “the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century” and pivotal to shaping the world’s future.

He expressed a willingness to engage in candid communication with China, manage differences responsibly, and work toward global peace and stability. Rubio stated that the United States does not support "Taiwan independence" and hopes the Taiwan question can be resolved through peaceful means acceptable to both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Wang concluded by emphasizing that major countries must act responsibly on the global stage, safeguard world peace, and promote common development. He expressed hope that Rubio would make sound decisions and contribute constructively to the well-being of both nations and global stability.