BEIJING (AP) — China’s veteran Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued a veiled warning to America’s newly confirmed Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, during their first conversation Friday, urging him to “act accordingly.”
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The phrase, rooted in Chinese diplomatic language, carries a dual tone of caution and expectation, often used to imply responsibility while leaving room for interpretation. Wang’s statement appears aimed at Rubio’s long-standing criticism of China’s human rights record during his tenure as a U.S. senator, which previously led to Beijing imposing sanctions on him twice in 2020.
The U.S. State Department’s readout of the call focused on advancing American interests and raised concerns over China’s actions in Taiwan and the South China Sea, omitting Wang’s pointed remarks.
This exchange sets the tone for a potentially fraught U.S.-China relationship under Rubio’s tenure, particularly as both nations navigate tensions over human rights, Taiwan, and territorial disputes. While China has not clarified if its sanctions on Rubio extend to his official visits, Wang’s warning underscores the challenges ahead in diplomatic engagement.
