U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a conversation with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, during which he communicated that the Donald Trump administration will seek to establish a relationship that prioritizes U.S. interests and places its people first. During the call, Rubio emphasized the importance of the U.S. commitment to its allies in the region and expressed his concerns about China's coercive actions regarding Taiwan and the South China Sea.
In response, Wang Yi pointed out that relations between the two major world powers are at a critical point and that it is essential to find the right way for China and the U.S. to coexist in this new era. He emphasized that China does not seek to replace anyone but will defend its legitimate right to development, urging Washington to handle the issue of Taiwan cautiously and not to go against its commitments regarding it.
In the same vein, Wang Yi stated that they will never allow Taiwan to separate from China. Additionally, he recalled the phone call between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump days before the inauguration, in which Xi expressed his willingness to strengthen ties between the two countries from a new starting point. Wang highlighted Trump's positive attitude towards this relationship and his interest in working with China to achieve significant advancements in their bilateral bond.
The conversation also addressed other important bilateral, regional, and global issues, emphasizing the need to find a balance in the relationship between the two nations. While Rubio underscored the U.S. commitment to its allies in the region and his concerns about China's actions in Taiwan and the South China Sea, Wang Yi stressed the importance of respecting China's right to development and maintaining stability in the region.
