Rubio Stresses 'America First' Approach in Phone Call With Wang Yi

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Jan. 24, and Beijing said he told the known China hawk that the direction and tone of US-China ties had been set by their leaders and he hoped Mr. Rubio would play a constructive role for the good of the people of both countries.

- REUTERS

Mr. Rubio, in the first telephone call between the two top diplomats under the new administration of US President Donald Trump, told Mr. Wang that Mr. Trump, who began his second term on Jan. 20, would pursue a relationship with China that "advances US interests and puts the American people first," a State Department statement said.

"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," it said.

China's Foreign Ministry said the two discussed US-China relations and Taiwan.

"I hope you would conduct yourself well and play a constructive role in the future of the Chinese and American people and in world peace and stability," Mr. Wang told Mr. Rubio, who in his Senate confirmation hearing last week labeled China as the gravest threat facing the United States.

The talks came after Mr. Trump said on Jan. 22 he was considering a 10 percent duty on Chinese imports because of Beijing's role in the fentanyl trade.