In a recent phone call, China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, had a serious message for the new U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio: “Behave yourself.” This conversation marked their first chat since Rubio was confirmed four days ago as President Donald Trump’s top diplomat.
Wang used a phrase common in Chinese speaking, which is often used by teachers or bosses to remind students or employees to be careful and responsible. This warning seemed to be a response to Rubio’s past criticisms of China, especially regarding its treatment of human rights. In fact, China had placed sanctions on him twice in 2020 for his outspoken views.
According to Zichen Wang, a researcher at a Chinese think tank, the vague wording of the message allows it to convey both a warning and a polite tone, which is typical in Chinese communication. Zichen pointed out that this approach reflects traditional Chinese wisdom in communication.
During his confirmation hearing, Rubio had pointed out the importance of understanding Chinese leaders by reading the original language. He advised against trusting English translations because they can be misleading.
After their phone call, the U.S. stated that Rubio emphasized the Trump administration’s dedication to protecting U.S. interests in China. He also expressed worry about China’s actions toward Taiwan and in the South China Sea.
Wang Yi was the foreign minister in 2020 when China imposed sanctions on Rubio due to U.S. actions against Chinese officials regarding issues in the Xinjiang region and Hong Kong. Although China has shown willingness to engage with Rubio as the Secretary of State, it remains unclear whether he will be allowed to visit China for discussions.
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