Washington/Beijing: China has expressed hope that Marco Rubio, the newly appointed US Secretary of State and a well-known critic of China, will adopt a constructive approach to benefit the people of both countries.
During a discussion on Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of following the direction and tone set by the leaders of both nations to improve US-China relations.
In their first telephone conversation since the new US administration under President Donald Trump took office, Rubio told Wang that Trump, beginning his second term on Monday, would seek a relationship with China that “advances US interests and prioritizes the American people.”
China’s foreign ministry stated that the two diplomats discussed US-China relations and Taiwan. Wang expressed hope that Rubio would “conduct himself well and play a constructive role in the future of both the Chinese and American people, as well as in world peace and stability.”
This conversation followed Trump’s statement on Wednesday that he was considering a 10% tariff on Chinese imports due to Beijing’s involvement in the fentanyl trade.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang told Rubio that their leaders had “established the direction and tone for China-US relations.”
Wang further mentioned that “the teams of both sides should implement the key consensus of the two heads of state, maintain communication, manage differences, expand cooperation, and promote the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US relations, while finding the right approach for the two nations to coexist in the new era.”
Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump agreed in a phone call ahead of the latter’s inauguration to create a strategic communication channel on “major issues.”
Trump stated in a speech at the World Economic Forum that he believes the US and China have a “very good relationship” and hopes China can help end Russia’s war in Ukraine. He also mentioned having had a “good, friendly conversation” with Xi and expressed optimism about reaching a trade deal with China.
Trump further shared that he had received an invitation to visit China and could travel there as early as this year.
