Rubio stresses ‘America first’ in call with China’s Wang Yi

Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern about Beijing’s coercive behavior against Taiwan and aggression in the South China Sea in his first formal call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi https://t.co/0gqfMHXnCF

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern about Beijing’s coercive behavior against Taiwan and aggression in the South China Sea in his first formal call with Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday, while the Chinese minister said he hoped the newly confirmed US official would make the right decision.

Rubio emphasized to Wang that the new US administration would pursue a relationship with China that “advances U.S. interests and puts the American people first,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement on Friday.

“The secretary also stressed the United States’ commitment to our allies in the region and serious concern over China’s coercive actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea,” she said.

Wang told Rubio that the two sides should implement the “important consensus” reached between the Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump, according to a Chinese government statement. Wang reiterated that Beijing would never allow Taiwan to be separated from the mainland, and warned the US to handle related matters carefully.

“A major country should act like one. It should shoulder its due international responsibilities, safeguard world peace, and help countries achieve common development,” Wang said, according to the statement. “I hope you will conduct yourself properly and play a constructive role in the future of the Chinese and American people, as well as in world peace and stability.”