Sat Jan 25 10:02:15 UTC 2025: ## China Warns New US Secretary of State Rubio to “Behave”
**Beijing, January 25, 2025** – In their first conversation since Marco Rubio assumed office as US Secretary of State, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued a veiled warning to the newly appointed diplomat. Following a Friday phone call, a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement revealed that Mr. Wang told Secretary Rubio to “act accordingly,” a phrase carrying implicit admonishment.
The statement is interpreted by experts as a response to Rubio’s past outspoken criticism of China’s human rights record, which led to two rounds of Chinese sanctions against him in 2020. While the phrase’s ambiguity allows for diplomatic courtesy, its underlying message is clear, according to Zichen Wang, a research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization. The vagueness, he explains, is a deliberate tactic rooted in traditional Chinese communication styles.
Secretary Rubio, during his confirmation hearing, had emphasized the importance of understanding Chinese pronouncements in their original language, highlighting discrepancies in English translations. A US State Department statement on the call confirmed Rubio’s assertion that the Trump administration will prioritize American interests in its relationship with China, also expressing serious concern over China’s actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea. The statement did not, however, mention the pointed phrase used by Minister Wang.
The implications of this exchange remain significant, especially given the previous sanctions imposed on Rubio by China. While Beijing has signaled willingness to engage with him, whether he will be permitted to visit China for discussions remains unclear.
First Piper 